Lao PDR and Viet Nam are developing a formal legal framework to manage the Ma and Neun-Ca river basins, changing how the two nations handle shared water resources.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported that officials from both countries met on Oct. 13, 2026, to review a draft Cooperation Agreement and pilot projects intended to underpin a long-term investment plan.
This bilateral agreement is designed to establish a legal and institutional structure for the sustainable management, development, and protection of surface water and groundwater within these two critical basins. While both nations already participate in regional initiatives like the Mekong River Commission, this specific deal would create the first dedicated, basin-level cooperation mechanism between Lao PDR and Viet Nam for the Ma and Neun-Ca rivers.
The negotiations build on a previous high-level meeting held in Hanoi on Dec. 22, 2025. During that session, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep and Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, vice-ministers from the respective Ministries of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), agreed to implement water cooperation rules that include the real-time sharing of water data.
Risks to the Ma and Neun-Ca Basins
The shared rivers face mounting pressure from a complex mix of economic and environmental stressors. Because the Ma and Neun-Ca feature steep gradients, upstream developments and sudden, extreme rainfall can trigger rapid, cascading effects on downstream ecosystems and human communities.
Current pressures include:
- Energy vs. Agriculture: Sixteen dams—ten on the Ma and six on the Neun-Ca—generate electricity, but the peak demand for power often conflicts with the increased need for irrigation water during the dry season.
- Agricultural Expansion: Population growth and rising demand for crops are driving farming up steep slopes, which accelerates forest loss in areas where ethnic minority communities rely on shifting cultivation.
- Pollution: Increased fertilizer use for maize production has contributed to nutrient pollution and has been linked to fish kills, while twelve rare earth mines in the two basins have been associated with downstream water pollution.
- Saline Intrusion: In the coastal regions of Viet Nam, saltwater is encroaching into freshwater supplies, threatening public health and local economic activity.
A Framework for Data and Coordination
To address these vulnerabilities, the draft agreement includes specific provisions for environmental and social impact assessments, joint information gathering, and coordinated monitoring. It also establishes protocols for data exchange, public participation, and institutional arrangements to facilitate consultation and joint action within the basins.
The UN Water Convention Secretariat in Geneva reviewed the agreement to ensure its alignment with international water law best practices. By creating a structured way to share information, the two countries aim to mitigate the “water-food-energy” trade-offs that currently plague the region.
The scale of the challenge is reflected in global trends. While SDG Indicator 6.5.2 highlights persistent gaps in transboundary water cooperation globally, there has been measurable progress. Between 2020 and 2023, 16 such agreements were signed, with a growing trend toward moving beyond “water-only” focuses to address broader cross-sectoral priorities.
The Path Toward a 2026 Signing
The technical details of the project were recently showcased at the 11th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC11) in Bali, Indonesia, held from Oct. 19 to 22, 2026. During a session titled “Building blocks for effective transboundary freshwater cooperation and basin management,” organized by IUCN, ACTO, the World Bank, and the UN Water Convention, experts discussed how digital technologies and coordinated monitoring can strengthen evidence-based management.
The Ma and Neun-Ca project is expected to culminate in a signed agreement before the end of 2026. Once finalized, the framework is intended to serve as a template for other transboundary rivers throughout the region, demonstrating how sustained political commitment and institutional trust can stabilize shared freshwater ecosystems.
