STATUTE OF THE COMMITTEE FOR CO-ORDINATION OF INVESTIGATIONS Of LOWER MEKONG BASIN ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF CAMBODIA, LAOS, THAILAND AND THE OTHER REPUBLICS OF VIET-NAM IN RESPONSE T0 THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE FAR EAST
Source: http://ocid.nacse.org/tfdd/tfdddocs/216ENG.pdf, downloaded 20120520
Chapter 1
Establish of the Committee
The Committee for Co-ordination of Investigations of the lower Mekong Basin (hereinafter called the Committee) is established by the Governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and the Republic of Viet-Nam (hereinafter called the participating governments), in response to the decision taken by the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (hereinafter called the Commission) at its thirteenth session. By this decision, reported in paragraph 277 of the Commission's annual report for the period 15 February 1956 to 28 March 1957, the Commission endorsed the wish of the participating governments that secretariat studies relating to the development of the lower Mekong basin, namely, the area of the drainage basin of the Mekong river situated in the territory of the participating governments, be continued jointly with the participating governments. The participating governments gave set up the Committee to perform the functions contained in the present Statute.
Chapter II
Article 1
1. The Committee shall be composed of four members.
2. Each participating government will appoint one member with plenipotentiary authority and such alternates, experts and advisers as it desires.
Article 2
The Chairmanship of the Committee shall be held in turn by the members of the Committee, in alphabetical order of the member countries. Each member shall hold office for one year.
CHAPTER III
Co-operation with the secretariat of the Commission
Article 3
In accordance with the decision of the commission at its thirteenth session, the secretariat of the Commission shall cooperate with the Committee in the performance of' the letter.
CHAPTER IV
Functions
Article 4
The functions of the Committee are to promote, coordinate, supervise and control the planning and investigation of water resources development projects in the Lower Mekong basin. To these ends the Committee may:
(a) Prepare and submit to participating governments plans for carrying out coordinated research, study and investigation;
(b) Make requests on behalf of the participating governments for special financial and technical assistance and receive and administer separately such financial and technical assistance as may be offered under the technical assistance programme of the United Nations, the specialized agencies and fuel friendly governments;
(c) Draw up and recommend to participating governments criteria for the use of the water of the main river for the purpose of water resources development.3
CHAPTER V
Sessions
Article 5
1. Subject to the provisions of this Statute, the Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
2. Meetings of the Committee shall be attended by all participating countries.
3. Decisions of the Committee shall be unanimous.
4. The Executive Secretary of the Commission or his representative may at any meeting either oral or written statements concerning any questions under consideration.
CHAPTER VI
General Provisions
Article 6
The Committee shall submit reports to participating governments and annually to the Commission. Such reports, or summaries thereof, may be made available to other governments and international organizations on the recommendations of the Committee.
Article 7
The Committee may invite representatives of governments and of specialized agencies to attend meetings of the Committee in the capacity of observers. Article 8
1. It is understood that, while in all technical matters which are within the competence of this Committee, the participating governments shall act through this Committee, the stipulations contained in thus statute shall not in any way affect, supersede or modify any of the agreements which are presently in force or which may be hereafter concluded between any of the interested governments relating to the Mekong river.
2. Amendments to the present Statute may be proposed by any participating government, shall be examined by the Committee and shall take effect when approved by all participating governments.
RULES OF PROCEDURE [Adopted by the Committee for Co-ordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin at its first session. Based on a text drawn up at the meeting of 17 September 1957 of the Preparatory Committee of the four governments.]
Rule 1
The ordinary sessions of the Committee shall be held regularly three times a year. In addition, special meetings may be convened at any time on the request of any one or more of the members of the Committee or the Executive Secretary of the Commission.
Rule 2
The Executive Secretary of the Commission shall, at least four weeks before the commencement of the meeting, send out invitation to the meeting, together with copies of the provisional agenda and of the basic relevant documents.
Rule 3
All meetings shall be closed meetings unless the Committee decides otherwise.
CHAPTER II
Co-operation with the secretariat of the commission
Rule 4
The Committee may request the Executive Secretary of the Commission to make the necessary arrangements for consultation, including the preparation of documents, the holding of meetings and the drafting of records.
CHAPTER III
General provisions
Rule 5
In the event of any matter arising which has not been foreseen by the present Rules, the pertinent rules of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East shall be applied, provided they are deemed suitable for the purposes of the Committee.
