Connecting Communities, Economies, and Ecosystems
The Mekong River spans 4,909 km from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea. Supporting over 70 million people across the six countries China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, it’s at the heart of regional development, culture, and ecology.
Population
>70 million
Basin Area
795,000 km²
Length
4,909 km
Feeding Millions along the Mekong
Known as Asia’s rice bowl, the Mekong Delta is one of the most fertile regions of the world, accounting for about 25% of global rice exports worth almost US$6 billion. Fisheries, valued at approximately US$ 17 billion in 2015, provide a critical protein source - including 75% of Cambodia’s animal protein needs.
25%
of Global rice exports
The Mekong’s Energy Contribution
Hydropower dams in the Mekong basin have a total capacity of 36,058 megawatts (MW). This basin-wide capacity is expected to double in the 2030s, with Laos accounting for the highest growth (18,223 MW).
A River Shaping Identity and Tradition
The Mekong has deep cultural roots, and is integral to the customs, spirituality, and livelihoods of the region’s communities.
One of the World’s Richest Ecosystems
The Mekong Basin is home to over 1,000 fish species and 20,000 plant species, providing essential services that support fisheries, agriculture, and communities.
Floods, Droughts, and Rising Temperatures
The Mekong Basin faces increasing climate risks, with projected temperature increases of 0.8°C by 2030. Floods and droughts are more frequent, disrupting lives and economies.
Dams, an Environmental Challenge
The increasing number (currently 661) of dams built along the Mekong and its tributaries for hydropower production, irrigation, water supply and flood control can also be a problem in reducing the free flow of the rivers, hindering fish migration, stopping the sediment flow and posing an overall threat to biodiversity.
Sand Extraction: A Growing Threat
The subregion is also experiencing rapid urbanization. Vientiane’s population nearly quadrupled between 2008 and 2017, and more than 50 percent of the basin’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. In the lower Mekong delta huge quantities of sand are being extracted for construction works. Over-extraction has vast long-term environmental consequences in the delta, like instability of the river banks, salt water infiltration, loss of arable lands and damaging the fragile river ecosystem.
Connecting Economies and Attracting Tourists
The river transports 22.9 million tons of cargo and 70 million passengers annually. Tourism adds significantly to the GDP of the Mekong countries and provinces, Yunnan (23.3.%) and Cambodia (13.5%) seeing the largest share in a rapidly growing market.
The Mekong river Metro-style map shows the basin, its water flows, dams and environmental challenges in an impressive and easily readable manner. Let’s use these multi-layered connections to address the challenges of the 21st century.
Source: Zoï Environment
Collaborative Pathways: Securing the Mekong’s Sustainable Future
Ensuring the Mekong River’s sustainability requires collaboration among its six riparian nations. Through more than 13 regional cooperation frameworks, countries work together to address shared challenges, from resource management to climate resilience.
The Mekong’s future depends on balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. Sustained collaboration is essential to protect this crucial resource.
