The Mekong River, the 12th longest river in the world, runs 4,880 km from its source on the Tibetan Plateau through Yunnan Province of China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The basin supports over a human population of over 50 million; and is one of the most diverse and productive freshwater ecosystems in the world. The major issues relating to water resources in the basin is, an equitable distribution and sustainable development.

Based on an Agreement made in 1995, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) was reorganized from an assistance agency to a coordination agency, its efforts are focused on three major programs: the Water Utilization Program, the Basin Development Program and the Environment Program. CTI has being giving assistance in these activities since 2001 by studying the flow regime of the Mekong River system and preparing the draft rules for water quantity/utilization, supporting the reinforcement of the institutional framework and capacity development of riparian and members of the MRC.