World Commission on Dams Regional Consultation for East/Southeast Asia: An Observer’s Observations
Published: May 2003
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Publication Summary
by Ngan Nguyen
Ideas Exchange Series #1 - September, 2000
The World Commission on Dams Regional Consultation in 2000 was the fourth regional meeting among academics, policy-makers and activists to deliberate the viability of large dam projects around the world. This paper focuses on the Mekong river basin, which experiences some of the most complex and challenging issues surrounding the issue of dams. The lack of transparency and public participation is discussed, with attention given to the negative effects of dams on livelihoods and food security. The consultation provided the space for activists to present their arguments and recommendations to decision-makers to remedy the unfulfilled development promises of large dams; and to embrace the necessity for basin-wide approaches that give weight to social and environmental impacts.