At the end of July, the USAID RDMA Regional Environment Office hosted the 3rd Roundtable Discussion on Climate Change Adaptation in the Greater Mekong Subregion in Bangkok.  The event, held in coordination with the Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Operations Center of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and co-organized by the USAID Mekong ARCC project, brought together a core group of climate change adaptation experts working across the Greater Mekong Subregion. 

It also gathered a select number of government officials to exchange knowledge and experiences, identify gaps and make recommendations on improving the effectiveness of science-driven climate change adaptation methods. Roundtable participants agreed to collaborate on the development of common messages on science-policy linkages, which will be presented at the 4th ADB Environment Ministers Meeting in Naypyidaw, Myanmar in January, and to work together on influencing the ADB Greater Mekong Subregion's Regional Investment Framework.

Roundtable meeting participants included: Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Network, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, German International Cooperation, Institute for Social and Environmental Transition, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Southeast Asia START Regional Center, the Stockholm Environment Institute, United Nations Environment Programme, U.S. Forest Service and policymakers from Thailand and Vietnam. A summary report of gaps identified and recommendations generated by participants can be found here.

Photo credit: USAID Mekong ARCC

Source: USAID/RDMA Regional Environment Office Weekly Update