3rd Mekong Forum on Water, Food & Energy. Presentation from Session 19: Advancing Sustainability in the Mekong Region: the role of Assessment Tools, Standards and Safeguards.

1. Advancing Sustainability in the Mekong Region: Role of assessment tools and standards
Session 19: 13:30-15:30
21 November 2013, Hanoi, Vietnam
Discussions surrounding the Hydropower Sustainability
Assessment Protocol (HSAP) and the MRC’s Rapid
Sustainability Assessment (RSAT) Tool have advanced.
What have been the Mekong’s experiences with these
tools, and how do they contribute to sustainability.
13:30-13:50
How do the methods and approaches employed in these
assessment tools along with internationally accepted
environmental and social standards contribute to
advancing the sustainability of the hydropower sector in
the Mekong region? This session will discuss how
sustainability is addressed/considered by different
stakeholder groups; provide examples of practical
applications or efforts to use the tools and standards;
and explore options for advancing sustainability.
Introduction
LilaoBouapao will welcome participants to the session and introduce Kate, Rodolfo and Donna
Catalytic Presentation 1: Kate Lazarus, IFC will present on “Advancing sustainability in the hydropower sector in the Mekong” and introduce the background/purpose of the session (10 min)
Catalytic Presentation 2: Rodolfo Azanza, SN POWER will present on “Efforts to employ sustainability in hydropower development” (10 min)
Catalytic Presentation 3: Donna Brown, Consultant,will present on “Efforts to apply the Rapid Sustainability Assessment Tool in the Mekong tributary sub-basins under the MRC ISH program
(10 min)
13:50-14:45
Panel Discussion
Format. Each panellist will share their experiences in using sustainability tools and standards and the challenges and opportunities for the Mekong region
VoradethPhonekeo, Mekong River Commission
Rodolfo Azanza, SN Power
Lu Xing, Yunnan University
Michael Simon, Oxfam Australia
Franz Gerner, World Bank
RuediLuthi, Nam Theun 2 Power Company, TBC
Kate Lazarus and Donna Brown will facilitate the panel discussion.
The panel discussion will involve a dialogue together with the audience. We will not go in an organised order of sharing but jump between panellists and ask you to share your views
and answer questions. You have all been selected because you are either using HSAP or RSAT or Standards or have come up with your own models/approaches to address sustainability.
The fundamental focus includes the central question of how can these tools/methods/approaches contribute to advancing sustainability? Do they ? Or should we be considering other
approaches?
Indicative questions/areas for discussion will include:
Introduction of panellists – 1 min each (your name, your organisation and responsibility)
Initial reflections on points made by presentations from your own line of experience and work.
What tools/approaches are panellists using ?
E.g Franz Gerner to share about piloting of HSAP with EVN in Vietnam
E.g Michael Simon to share reflections on gender EIA tool
E.gVoradeth to share about use of RSAT in Mekong basin
E.g Xing to share about the Chinese experiences in piloting HSAP and other approaches to fit the Chinese context
E.gRuedi to share about what standards NTPC is using
E.g Rodolfo to expand on points from presentation
We have only 55 min for the panel so appreciate brief and concise remarks.
Following the Panel discussion, participants will be asked to break out into 3 groups with the topics facilitators going to 3 corners of the room. Participants can roam
between the topics and engage in the discussion.

2. 14:45-15:15
Bus Stop Discussion
Format. Three (3) bus stop stations will be set-up for in-depth discussion on key topics followed by quick report back to plenary. Participants can move among the stations.
Topic 1:
Topic 2:
Topic 3:
Defining sustainability and its meaning in the Mekong region Considering risk management
Challenges to adopting a sustainable approach to
This group will consider the following questions: How is
This group will consider the following questions: How can we
hydropower development in the Mekong region.
hydropower sustainability defined? Are their examples of how manage risks of hydropower development in a sustainable
This group will consider the following questions: What are
sustainability has been addressed or assessed (e.g. methods
manner? What are the various values (e.g.
the barriers to ensuring hydropower development in the
and approaches) by your organisation? How can sustainability business/economic) to applying sustainability tools to
Mekong is sustainable? How can we overcome these
assessments be improved?
managing risks in the long-term?
barriers? Do the sustainability assessment tools and
approaches (e.g. standards) make a contribution and what
Facilitator: LilaoBouapao, M-POWER
Facilitator: Donna Brown, Consultant
are challenges to their application?
Facilitator: Lu Xing, Yunnan University
LilaoBouapao will convene the group back into plenary and ask the bus stop facilitators to share 3-5 key messages from the discussion and then close the session.
15:15-15:30
Report back of key messages from discussions, Facilitator: Lilao Bouapao, M-POWER with Bus Station facilitators
Closing Remarks