Laos resumes dam project in defiance of pact

Laos will proceed with the construction of its $3.5 billion hydropower dam in violation of its agreement with neighboring countries.


The Lao government. which agreed suspend the project pending approval by ministers of neighboring countries, has given Thai developer Ch Karnchang the green light to resume work on the Xayaburi Dam.

Mekong basin countries are bound by treaty to hold inter-governmental consultations before building dams.

After months of pressure from environmentalists and neighboring countries, Laos agreed on April 19 to defer the project until a meeting of ministers of the four countries involved, slated for the end of the year.

The full story is available at reuters.