Groups slam ministers' failure to discuss Xayaburi Dam

Regional conservationists criticised the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Wednesday for leaving the controversial Xayaburi Dam off its agenda at this week's annual ministerial meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Laotian authorities said they would confirm their decision to go ahead with the hydropower project in the mainstream mekong River if there were any special request to discuss the matter at the meeting.

Despite widely held concerns over the project's environmental and social impacts, Vientiane decided in November last year to begin construction of the dam.

"By failing to address the Xayaburi Dam at the Council Meeting, the mekong River Commission governments are evading their responsibilities," said Niwat Roykaew of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group.

"Silence will not make the problems caused by the development of the destructive Xayaburi Dam and any future mekong dams go away."

The Nation