New Coalition Launched to Save the Mekong River

Date: 
Friday, March 13, 2009

On March 14th, the International Day of Action for Rivers, the Save the Mekong coalition launched a new campaign to protect the Mekong River from eleven dams planned for the river's mainstream.

The Mekong River is the region's lifeline. If built, these dams would destroy the river's rich fisheries, placing at risk the livelihoods and food security of millions of people.

You can support this new campaign by signing the coalition’s online petition to ask the region's Prime Ministers to keep the Mekong mainstream free of dams.  

The Save the Mekong coalition is a new partnership of local and international groups and ordinary people – including International Rivers – that is working to protect the Mekong River, its resources and people's livelihoods, and is calling for better ways to meet energy and water needs.

During March and April, the Save the Mekong coalition partners will be collecting signed postcards from people in the Mekong countries and around the world, urging the region’s political leaders to keep the Mekong flowing freely as a precious source of food, income and life for present and future generations. 

More information: 

Further information about the Save the Mekong coalition is available in English and regional languages on the coalition’s website and in its Media Advisory, dated 12 March 2009.

Learn more about International Rivers' work on Mekong mainstream dams

Map of the proposed Mekong mainstream dams

A Healthy Mekong River is Priceless”: Commentary in World Rivers Review, Sept 2008