Dr Andrea Haefner | How Civil Society Groups Are Speaking Up for the Mekong River

Dr Haefner’s work focuses on the Mekong River Commission, an intergovernmental body tasked with ensuring sustainable development of the basin. Central to this is the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement – a framework that gives member countries and stakeholders the opportunity to review proposals that could affect the river’s flow, ecosystems and the millions of people who rely on it. In theory, this process should allow the public, local communities and civil society groups to raise concerns before projects move ahead. In practice, as her research shows, their influence is limited but not insignificant.

The Xayaburi dam in Laos was the first major project to go through the consultation process in 2010 and 2011. It sparked strong reactions from civil society groups, who pointed to evidence of serious risks to fisheries, sediment flows and water quality. Organisations such as Save the Mekong campaigned against the project, urging governments to halt construction. Although they did not stop the dam, their pressure contributed to design changes, including modifications to dam gates and fish passages – a rare example of civil society shaping the outcome of a large-scale hydropower project in the region.

The story played out differently with the Pak Lay dam, the fourth dam going through the process in 2018. Many of the same groups refused to participate in the consultation process based on past experiences, arguing that their involvement would merely legitimise decisions that had already been made. Instead, they boycotted public forums and issued statements highlighting serious gaps in environmental and social impact assessments. The boycott itself became a form of protest, drawing attention to the shortcomings of the process and amplifying local concerns.

Haefner’s analysis suggests that while civil society cannot yet significantly alter final decisions, civil society does play an important role in raising awareness, shaping public debate and improving transparency in a complex and politically sensitive region.