USAID Links Science and Local Knowledge to Strengthen Community Resilience to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta

From August 19 to 29, the USAID Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change Project (USAID Mekong ARCC) engaged rural communities in the Vietnam Mekong Delta by establishing a nexus between climate science and on-the-ground, community-led adaptation responses.  Through the use of participatory tools, USAID Mekong ARCC translated scientific information from USAID’s Climate Study of the Lower Mekong into…

Mekong Partnership for the Environment Launches Local Grants Program

The USAID-funded Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE) has launched a new grants program to help local organizations strengthen their work on ensuring responsible development in the Mekong region.  From the release of its Annual Program Statement (APS) on August 29, MPE expects to increase civil society’s capacity to take part in decisions surrounding the development of…

USAID Announces Regional Research Collaboration Awardees

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID),   National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have announced 26 new research projects in Asia funded through the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program a joint initiative designed to foster collaborative global research.  Through this competitive grants program, USAID directly supports…

Cambodia Increases Climate Resilience of Community Water Supply Ponds with Support from USAID Adapt Asia-Pacific

With support from USAID Adapt Asia-Pacific, Cambodia’s Ministry of Rural Development recently helped 10 rural villages in Banteay Meanchey province to improve the resilience of their vital fresh water supply. Past events have demonstrated that communities located on the Tonle Sap flood plain are particularly vulnerable to the increased flooding predicted to occur as a…

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Through WECREATE Centers

When the U.S. Department of State announced the up-coming launch of a WECREATE Center in the Lower Mekong sub-region this past weekend, it underscored the State Department’s enduring commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs everywhere, particularly in developing countries.  The development of WECREATE Centers is one of the many ways the Department is supporting the goals…

NEWS: Sustainable Future for the Mekong Basin

On the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the seventh Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial Meeting and the fourth meeting of Friends of Lower Mekong Meeting were took place under the chairmanship maintenance of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar and United States Secretary of State. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affair Minister Pham Binh Minh…

Regional Water Cooperation and Flood Preparedness Event Highlights Lower Mekong Initiative Progress

Bangkok, Thailand, August 1, 2014 –Bulbul and red avadavat dance from the shrubs and grass, as a gentle rain falls musically on the Golden Triangle.  The mighty Mekong River slowly drifts down its banks, obliviously to the precipitation.  In the distance, mountains brood with curling ominous clouds.  These clouds indicate that the gentle rains currently…

NEWS: Thailand Meets with Mekong Neighbors to Bolster Cooperation

NAYPYIDAW, 10 August 2014 (NNT) – The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on neighboring countries within the Lower Mekong River Basin to step up their cooperation towards regional development during the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.In his capacity as Acting Foreign Minister of Thailand, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow attended the…

NEWS: Vietnam Pledges to Manage Mekong River Water Resources Sustainably

(VOV) – Vietnam attaches high importance to and prioritizes efforts to develop and use water resources of the Mekong River Basin effectively and sustainably in the context of global climate change, affirmed Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.The deputy PM made the statement at the seventh Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting and the fourth…

NEWS: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Participate in LMI Ministerial Meeting

Washington: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Myanmar and Australia this week.In Myanmar, he would participate in a series of meetings with ASEAN leaders, in Australia, he along with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, will participate in the US-Australia Consultations.On August 9, Kerry will arrive in Naypyitaw to meet Burmese government leaders and…

Training Video Explains Gender Equity in the Context of Forests and Climate Change

The USAID-funded programs Grassroots Equity and Enhanced Networks in Mekong (GREEN Mekong) and Lowering Emissions in Asia's Forests (USAID LEAF) have collaborated to produce a training video on gender equity.The video compliments training programs that target climate change and community forestry practitioners; it emphasizes gender equity as a key element for sustainable climate change initiatives…

Training Manual Launched to Improve Social Equity in Forests and Climate Change Context

The USAID-funded Grassroots Equity and Enhanced Networks in the Mekong (GREEN Mekong) program recently completed a seminal training publication entitled “Improving grassroots equity in the forests and climate change context”.The manual aims to develop the knowledge and capacities of grassroots facilitators to conduct meaningful participatory processes that can improve social equity and inclusion in forest-based…