As such, it is an international waterway located in an area divided by political sensitivities. Since environmental damage is not constrained by national boundaries, regional cooperation to protect the environment must advance despite political sensitivities. In December 1995, the five member countries of the Tumen River Area Development Programme signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Principles. Cooperation in this manner is urgently needed. Industrial, urban and other forms of pollution of the Tumen River are very serious, with heavy costs borne both locally and in areas shared by the three riparian countries.
Biodiversity loss is also a serious problem, and air pollution is yet another trans-border issue.
To address these problems, a Working Group on the Environment has been formed under the auspices of the Tumen Programme, including representatives from all five member countries. I am pleased to inform participants that the project document was signed on 22 October 1999. The project is expected to start by the end of the year. Copies of the report are available from the Tumen Secretariat. To draw upon the Tumen River as a water source, industrial enterprises need to incur significant treatment costs.