News
Climate Change is causing dire consequences for the Greater Mekong region
The consequences of climate change is getting worse as each day passes. From shrinking ice caps to drawn out drought seasons, it seems that every country across the globe has experience some sort of impact from the drastic changes in weather patterns. And one of climate change’s victims, Southeast Asia’s ...
Mae Yen Yap
The Dramatic Growth of Methamphetamine Production in the Mekong Region
In recent years, countries in the Mekong region have faced over-supply of methamphetamine from the Golden Triangle. Especially Crystal meth and “Yaba” a methamphetamine pill. Methamphetamine has become more accessible and available, despite efforts to disrupt supply and precursor chemicals. New strategies are needed to stop ...
EU study boost fight against illegal wildlife trade in Mekong region
The European Union has launched an intensive study about the illegal wildlife trade in the Greater Mekong Region and its threat to biodiversity. The report, entitled “Larger than Tigers”, hopes to encourage the Greater Mekong countries, which include Myanmar, to intensify efforts against the illegal wildlife ...
Floating markets – a typical cultural feature of the Mekong region
With its dense system of rivers and canals, Vietnam’s Mekong Delta has become famous for floating markets which attract tourists with their abundant farm produce sold directly from boats. Located on the Cai Rang river, 6 km from Can Tho city, the Cai Rang floating market ...
Japan’s Foreign Policy in the Mekong Region
The tenth Japan-Mekong Summit was held on October 9 in Tokyo. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ...
Study to shed light on air connectivity in Mekong region
New research will soon shed light on the challenges and opportunities in boosting the number of air links between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and China. Carried out as part of the Mekong Lancang Cooperation Framework, the study, which was launched in April and is expected to ...
Meth epidemic in the Mekong region
This week, Vientiane played host to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) “High Level Conference on Transnational Organized Crime in Laos People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and the Mekong Region”. The UNODC brought together senior Lao PDR officials, international partners and select experts ...
China Pushes Free-Trade Zone in Mekong Region with Thailand, Laos
As the trade war with the U.S. intensifies, China is looking to strengthen commercial ties with countries in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia by setting up a free-trade zone on the border between Thailand and Laos. In the planned zone, Beijing will waive tariffs ...
Renewable energy high priority for Mekong region: scientists
Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam must work closer together to make the shift to using more renewable energy. This a vital step in attaining the region’s as well as each country’s sustainable development, said Prof. Đặng Nguyên Anh, Vice President of the Việt Nam Academy ...
Japan vows quality infrastructure in Mekong region in push for Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday (Oct 9) pledged to promote quality infrastructure projects in five South-east Asian nations along the Mekong River, while their leaders said they supported Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIPS). “The Mekong region is a corridor that connects ...