Sydney Conference to Address Challenges of Mighty Mekong River Basin
By Phil Mercer Sydney 27 September 2007

Combating poverty and developing the economies of Southeast Asia's Mekong River region are the focus of an international conference taking place in Australia. As the conference opened, the Australian government announced a major increase in its spending on energy and infrastructure in the region. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney, where the conference is being held.

Boy carries plastic bag of water he collected from Mekong river, near Phnom Penh, Cambodia (File)

The Mekong is the 11th longest river in the world. The name means "Mother of Rivers" in the language of Laos, one of the countries the river passes through. It provides livelihoods for 60 million people, many of them among the poorest in the region.

The conference at Sydney University is looking at ways to improve economic opportunity and water management along with environmental protection along the river's banks.