In the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB), there are many issues of securities that both the communities and their governments are facing regarding the use of the Mekong River. The four major securities are water security, energy security, food security and environmental security.
Water security
Water security is the maintenance and accessibility to water of a certain quality, and of sufficient quantity for the people and the environment. It is also closely linked to food security.
Water security can be attained through cooperation among nations who have a shared interest in water management. If the dialogues held by the MRC are not managed properly and countries are not able to reach an agreement, securitization of water resources within the boundaries of their own country may result in conflict and affect the economic development of countries located further down the LMB. This highlights the need for policy agreements among countries to ensure water security in the region.
Environmental security
Environmental security is related to species biodiversity, maintenance of natural habitats, economic and social affluence, and natural hazards. Weather-related hazards exacerbated by climate change threatens security in the Mekong region. Climate change will increase the severity of floods and droughts, placing pressure on food security, making people vulnerable to poverty. Securitization of natural resources by countries can also lead to environmental insecurity in the LMB.
Energy security
Energy security has only garnered people’s attention in recent years. Lack of access to energy threatens economic growth, standards of living and political stability. As countries develop, there has been an increase in awareness of the link between water and energy security. Particularly, the use of water to generate energy.
Food security
Food security is the dominant security in the LMB. Many countries aim to ensure food security, but this can be a challenge. Environmental resources such as fish and rice form the basis of food security in the LMB, which is determined by water availability. Ensuring sufficient food for one’s population will alleviate poverty, allowing the country to develop, improving the economy. But lack of food may cause civil unrest in the region.
How do we proceed from here?
In the LMB, food, water, and energy security are being prioritised over environmental security. In addition, these securities are not independent of each other as they overlap and conflict. Particularly, growth in hydropower development for energy security affects the production of agriculture and fish, which is determined by water, food, and environmental security. Hence, regional cooperation is needed to resolve concerns over these securities. Identification of the links between water, food, energy and environmental resources can help shape the socio-economic development in the LMB as a whole.