"Cambodian NGOs Reject Invitation to Regional Forum on Proposed Lao Dams", 13 September 2018

A Cambodian coalition of NGOs dedicated to raising public awareness about the risks associated with dams on the Mekong River said...that it will boycott a regional stakeholder forum for two proposed hydropower projects in Laos because its concerns were ignored by the organizing body.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC)...is holding the...forum...on a joint action plan for the Pak Beng hydropower project....

...Cambodia Mekong Alliance (CMA) consisting of 52 NGOs, said it will not take part in the forum after its request to convey concerns over the potential impacts of the Pak Lay and Pak Beng dams on the Mekong River in Laos to the MRC’s representative body in Cambodia was ignored.

CMA representative Leang Bunleap told RFA’s Khmer Service that the Cambodia Mekong Commission’s failure to respond to his coalition’s request shows that the MRC only pays lip service to creating an all-inclusive consultative process on dam development.

...The CMA and other groups have warned that the Pak Lay, Pak Beng, and other dams in Laos will negatively impact the environment and the livelihood of river communities throughout the region.

The July 23 disaster caused severe flooding that claimed the lives of at least 40 villagers, according to official figures, and displaced thousands of others who are living in temporary camps.