News
Addressing Climate Change in the Mekong-Ganges Region
ollowing the 11th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting on July 21, the foreign ministers of the MGC’s six member countries (Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) agreed on the need to increase cooperation on sustainable water resource management. The ministers pledged to enhance technical cooperation ...
Lohita Solanki
Japan resumes meeting with 5 Mekong countries after suspending it due to Myanmar coup
Japan is expected to use its meeting on Friday with the five Mekong River states to reiterate its commitment to the region, although analysts said it will also aim to reinforce its foreign policy objective of countering China’s influence. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will hold ...
Julian Ryall
Rethinking southeast Asia's energy plans
Big hydropower plants are an important source of clean and cheap electricity for many countries in Southeast Asia. However, dams harm the environment and have dire consequences on local communities. Building more dams would therefore pose major trade-offs between electricity supply and environmental protection. A team ...
SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN
What COVID-19? Synthetic drug trade thrives in Mekong Region
It has been quick to spot opportunities and reduce risks, thriving despite COVID-19. In its own brand of regional integration, it has been connecting the dots across the lower Mekong region as it carves out new ways to cross borders and reach its customers in ...
Johanna Son, Reporting ASEAN
Mekong Development Zones Facilitating Illicit Activities: Report
Economic development zones in mainland Southeast Asia have contributed to a range of illicit activities, including drug trafficking and wildlife trafficking, according to a new report from C4ADS, a U.S.-based research organization. The report, which analyzes 110 economic development zones (EDZs) in the five lower Mekong nations – ...
Sebastian Strangio
Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China begin Mekong River patrol
Law enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand joined forces Tuesday (June 23) for the 106th Mekong River joint patrol. Three Chinese vessels departed from Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China’s Yunnan Province for the patrol. Law enforcement officers from the four ...
Citizen scientists tackle Mekong environmental challenges
The Greater Mekong, a transnational region in Southeast Asia, spans six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The region is home to more than 325 million people and, while it has survived the trauma of wars, it now faces mounting environmental threats from ...
JAMES BORTON And TANAPON PHENRAT
‘Water Grabbing’ On The Mekong – Analysis
As dam-building projects continue to proliferate along Southeast Asia’s vital Mekong River, experts in a recent online discussion panel agreed that the area is fast becoming overloaded with them, dredging up far-reaching issues ranging from international friction and industry “water grabs” to widespread ecological disasters ...
East-West Center
Bear paws, pangolin scales: Wildlife trade flourishing in Mekong
A new study by TRAFFIC, a group that monitors the illegal trade in wildlife, has found thousands of animal parts and products – from pangolin scales to ivory and bear bile – for sale in five countries in mainland Southeast Asia, underlining the region’s struggle ...
AL JAZEERA
Lower Mekong Basin project underway to ensure water security
A $15 million project to enhance cross-border groundwater management and strengthen water security in the Lower Mekong Basin is being developed by Cambodia and Vietnam, with a focus on improved governance and sustainable utilisation of the Cambodia-Mekong river delta transboundary aquifer. “The project will benefit both ...
Lay Samean