Mekong River Commission (MRC) Information and Knowledge Management Program (IKMP)/ Modelling Team conducted February 23 - 25 2011 modeling training at the MRC headquarters in Vientiane. Two first days were spent with IWRM modelling and last day with general Toolbox features. There was 8 participants from the Lao PDR and 2 - 3 from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam each.

The Mekong development pressures highlight need for integrated physical/environmental/socio-economic modelling. Unfortunately this is poorly reflected in Mekong region institutional activities, feasibility studies, impact assessment, research and capacity building. The discussion about MRC modelling strategy was continued March 2. - 4. 2011 in Ho Chi Minh City where the countries presented their MRC modelling project proposals, MRC Modelling Toolbox was discussed and the integrated modelling tools got exposure. The discussion about MRC modelling strategy will be further continued on March 7. - 8. 2011 in Chiang Mai at the M-POWER meeting.