U.S. PRESS STATEMENT ON THE FRIENDS OF THE MEKONG SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING: “Enhancing Cooperation: Coordinating with Friends and Allies”

U.S. Press Statement on the Friends of the Mekong Senior Officials’ Meeting: “Enhancing Cooperation: Coordinating with Friends and Allies” MEDIA NOTE  OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON  AUGUST 2, 2022 Begin Text.  The Senior Officials of the Friends of the Mekong met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 2, 2022.  The United States chaired the meeting and welcomed…

Connecting South and Southeast Asia through Improved East-West Linkages

This report, completed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and funded by the U.S. Department of State working together under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, presents the preliminary findings of an initiative to promote and expand intra-regional and east-west connectivity between the Mekong countries and South Asia.  It provides a framework for engaging with regional stakeholders to…

Mekong Heroes: Thailand

Niwat is the leader of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group. Born and raised on the banks of Mekong River in Chiang Rai, Thailand, Niwat’s life has been shaped by nature and the river. He has seen the highs and the lows of the river’s life on his front doorstep. His work raises critical questions about…

Mekong Heroes: Cambodia

Ma Sokhak is a Cambodian local teacher turned river protector who came into the public eye not long ago. The story of Ma Sokhak is one in a four-episode video series which follows different individuals from the Mekong region to share how they're improving their communities. Witnessing species disappear at an alarming pace in the…

Keynote Address for the Mekong-U.S. Partnership Track 1.5 Dialogue on Infrastructure and Energy

EAP Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink’s Keynote Address for the Mekong-U.S. Partnership Track 1.5 Dialogue on Infrastructure and Energy Good morning and good evening, everyone.  It is an honor to speak to so many distinguished guests, YSEALI participants, innovators, leaders, and policy makers from across the region.  It is a region I am passionate about, having recently…

Secretary Blinken’s Participation in the Friends of the Mekong Ministers’ Meeting

Secretary Blinken’s Participation in the Friends of the Mekong Ministers’ Meeting - United States Department of State On August 5, Secretary Blinken chaired the tenth anniversary meeting of the Friends of the Mekong ministerial. The Secretary congratulated the group on its sustained support to the Mekong subregion and its commitment to transparency, good governance, and…

The Mekong-U.S. Partnership and the Friends of the Mekong: Proven Partners for the Mekong Region

The Mekong-U.S. Partnership and the Friends of the Mekong: Proven Partners for the Mekong Region - United States Department of State The countries of the Mekong sub-region and the United States reaffirmed their long-standing relationship at the second Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP) ministerial on August 2, 2021. Through the MUSP, the U.S. government, working with Congress, continues…

Secretary Blinken’s Participation in the Mekong-U.S. Partnership Ministers’ Meeting

Secretary Blinken’s Participation in the Mekong-U.S. Partnership Ministers’ Meeting - United States Department of State The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: On August 2, Secretary Blinken co-hosted the second Mekong-U.S. Partnership ministerial.  The Secretary emphasized U.S. commitment to a resilient, secure, interconnected, and open Mekong sub-region and emphasized the region’s importance to the…

United States, South Korea, and Mekong River Commission Partnership Launches

Senior officials from the United States, Republic of Korea, and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) launched cooperation on July 20 on water data utilization and capacity building for the Mekong region. The partnership will see specialists and scientists from Korea Water Resources Corporation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NASA provide at least six training events to professionals from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam on various decision-support system topics, including modelling, water data utilization and knowledge transfer.

Mekong Heroes: Vietnam

Meet Ngoc Tuyet, a first-generation engineering student at Can Tho University and a participant in USAID’s Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Program. As a first-generation student and woman in a male-dominated field, Tuyet tells viewers about her motivation behind pursuing a STEM degree and discusses how her participation in EPICS has positively shaped her life and professional aspirations. Subtitled versions available for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

“Strengthening Sustainable Seed System for the Lower Mekong Countries” Workshop June 8-10, 2021

Mekong-U.S. Partnership Virtual Workshop will be organized by ‘The Asia and Pacific Seed Association’ on 8- 10 June 2021 as a virtual workshop. The theme would be "Strengthening Sustainable Seed System for the Lower Mekong Countries”. This Activity is a component of the Seed Trade Capacity Building Project in the Lower Mekong Region funded under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP), formerly known as Lower Mekong Initiative. Following the successful first Mekong Regional workshop on seeds on 2018, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service is inviting Country Representative from the Seed Offices of Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia to attend the Lower Mekong Seed Regional Workshop. During this time Seed Trade Capacity Building in the Lower Mekong Progress Report will be presented by Government official delegations’ representative on each topic (Plant variety protection, seed lab accreditation, seed certification and phyto-sanitary regulation).  Discussion groups will be organized to review on the priority and the type of capacity building training is needed in the region and in its respective country.<

NexGen Program Announcement

Mekong-US Partnership Financial Support for your Mekong Project NexGen Mekong Scientists can provide up to 6-month research assistantships for your Mekong Based project. NexGen empowers Mekong young scientists and early career professionals from the region to responsibly steward the Mekong River Basin and its natural resources. NexGen promotes interdisciplinary approaches to the complex challenges faced…