Mekong - U.S. Partnership
Promoting Change Agents for Gender Equity in Forestry and Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific
Over 30 women and men from six Asia-Pacific countries came together from November 25-30 to enhance their gender leadership and analytical abilities in the context of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and Climate Change. The Asia-Pacific Leadership Program on Gender and Climate Change/REDD+ was organized by the USAID-funded Lowering Emissions in Asia’s…
Creating a Vietnamese National REDD+ Fund
On November 29, over 100 participants representing government departments, international donors and provinces that implement Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) gathered in Hanoi for a National Consultation Workshop on the Third Draft Proposal on Establishment of a Viet Nam REDD+ Fund. The consultation was organized by the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry…
USAID Helped ASEAN Countries to Liberalize Trade in Services
The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) aims to ensure each ASEAN Member State (AMS) removes restrictions affecting trade in services (including related foreign direct investment) and implement related reforms. Efficient services in each ASEAN Member State are essential to promote economic growth. Trade in services liberalization and associated reforms are instrumental for successful formation…
Thai Cities Share Experiences and Lessons from Flood Crises
The Mekong–Building Climate Resilience in Asian Cities (M-BRACE) program, in partnership with Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN), has built up a learning network for urban planners, meteorologists, hydrologists, Municipal Public Works officials, NGOs, and academics from seven cities across Thailand.On 26-27 November 2013 network members came together in Bangkok to discuss the implications…
H.R.H Princess Soamsawali Visits Shark Conservation Exhibit
On November 26, 2013, H.R.H Princess Soamsawali presided over the “The 7th Amazing Christmas” event at Bangkok’s Swissotel Le Concorde. The month long event began with a tree lighting ceremony and exhibitions for the visitors. The Fin Free Thailand campaign will be featured at the hotel throughout December culminating in a charity concert on December 21.…
Health Systems Strengthening through Clinical Capacity Building
In Rayong, Thailand, CAP-TB has a unique chance to take “health systems strengthening” to the next level. Unlike some high TB burden countries, Thailand has the capacity to diagnose and treat TB and MDR-TB, largely using the country’s own resources. So here in Thailand, we ask: How can these resources become even more effective? A…
U.S. Ambassador Daniel Clune Hosts Close Out Ceremony for USAID/RDMA’s Laos Program
U.S. Ambassador Daniel A. Clune welcomed Lao and U.S. officials and private sector representatives to his residence for a closing celebration for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Laos-U.S. International and ASEAN Integration Project. Under the project, over 4,000 Lao officials and businesses benefited from training in intellectual property, agricultural and industrial goods standards, and…
Tools to Combat Wildlife Trafficking Showcased at Regional Workshop
On November 22, 2013, international and government organizations met in Bangkok for the 15th Meeting of Asian Partners Forum on Combating Environmental Crime (ARPEC). The regional forum provides a platform for stakeholders to showcase new efforts and further develop strategic partnerships to combat environmental crime, including the trafficking of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), hazardous materials,…
Wildlife Trafficking Awareness Campaign Continues Public Engagement
From November 21 through 22, the USAID-funded Asia’s Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking (ARREST) program held an iTHINK public outreach event at a large shopping center in Bangkok, Thailand.iTHINK is a wildlife consumption reduction campaign which utilizes Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), influential, well know members of society, to encourage the public to abstain from…
Myanmar Commercial Law Ready to be Improved to Support Sustained Economic Growth
The Attorney General, the Union of Myanmar, emphasized the importance of commercial law development for Myanmar’s development plans at the opening of the commercial law development workshop hosted by USAID on commercial law development.Conducted on November 20-21, the workshop demonstrated how commercial law leads to inclusive and sustained economic growth. By the end of the…
ASEAN’s Chief Justices Responds to Environmental Threats
From November 15-18, 2013, the Third Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chief Justices Roundtable on the Environment met in Bangkok, Thailand providing an opportunity for the region’s Chief Justices and senior judiciary to come together and share experiences and consider ways they can collaborate to enforce and even shape effective environmental law for the…
Green Growth for the Mekong
By William E. Todd, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of CambodiaMy sincere appreciation goes out to our Cambodian readership for your thoughtful questions and ideas that help maintain our focus on important issues. Before I answer this week’s question, I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the people of the Philippines, who…
