(Vientiane Times) Laos and Thailand have agreed to work together to sustain water resources and manage the environment through cooperation in several areas.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and Head of the Water Resource and Environment Administration, Ms Khempheng Pholsena, and Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Suwit Khunkitti, on Friday signed a cooperative paper in Vientiane.

The Summary Record of the first Ministerial Meeting on Cooperation in Water Resources and Environmental Management was signed shortly after a meeting of the two sides.

As identified in the document, the neighbouring countries will promote more effective cooperation in integrated water resources management, environmental management, pollution control and environmental technology.

They will also exchange lessons learned on disaster risk management such as early-warning systems, strategic planning and programme management for natural resources and environment management.

Transboundary haze and climate change are also on the agenda of cooperation.

The cooperation package could be realised by the exchange of data and information, technical cooperation and technology transfer, according to the summary record.

Training courses, seminars and workshops will be held to raise the capacity of personnel in relation to their scope of work as well as learning more about the technology involved. Laos and Thailand will take part in programme and project development and implementation, helping with human resource development and the provision of equipment and facilities.

Based on the outcomes of discussion, both sides agreed to further cooperate with the relevant departments for direct contact in the coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects, the record said.

Additionally, they agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the implementation of sub-regional frameworks, such as those within the Greater Mekong Sub-region and Mekong River Commission.

At the meeting, Ms Khempheng told her Thai counterpart that Laos wanted to share Thailand's experience in green development lessons including in the field of legal documents in managing water resources and environmental issues.

Mr Suwit responded positively and said his ministry stands ready to share its experience with Laos.

Both sides also discussed a tree planting project to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two neighbours (Dec. 19, 1950-Dec. 19, 2010).

Mr Suwit asked the Lao side to prepare a plot of land and promised to obtain funding for the tree planting.

The cooperation package was the result of a visit by Mr Suwit and his delegation to Laos from June 25-26, in response to Ms Khempheng's invitation.

On the same day, Mr Suwit and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh at his office.

Visit to Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh

More Pictures Click to http://www.wrea.gov.la/somoula/PicturesShow/index.php?imgdir=2010-06-24%2026%20MNRE%20Thailand&page=21