Mekong - U.S. Partnership
Mekong Virtual Symposium: “An Uncertain Future: Working Towards a Thriving Tonle Sap”
Pact Thailand is organizing the second Mekong Virtual Symposium: An Uncertain Future: Working Towards a Thriving Tonle Sap as part of the Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership (SIP). This event is open to the public, and interested participants are encouraged to RSVP on https://www.mekongwater.org/mekong-virtual-symposium.
Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace hosts Virtual Conference on Sustainable Development and the Future of the Mekong
The Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP) organized a virtual conference on "Sustainable Development and the Future of the Mekong" on 26-27 October 2020. Organized in response to the shifting geopolitical dynamics that pose new challenges such as the growth of debt dependency, disproportionate control of upstream dams, and the erosion of existing river governance, the conference featured four panels examining the future of the Mekong River and the environmental and sustainable development challenges confronting the region.
Recap: Indo-Pacific Conference on Strengthening Transboundary Rivers Governance
Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell provided opening remarks at the inaugural Indo-Pacific Conference on Strengthening Governance of Transboundary Rivers on October 15. U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Michael DeSombre offered closing remarks. The conference, organized in partnership with the East-West Center, convened policy-makers, academics, members of civil society, and other transboundary river stakeholders from across the Indo-Pacific region to share best practices related to the sustainable development and cooperative management of transboundary rivers.
Indo-Pacific Conference on Strengthening Transboundary Rivers Governance
The United States Department of State, in partnership with the East-West Center, will host a virtual Indo-Pacific Conference on Strengthening Transboundary Rivers Governance on October 15-16. The invitation-only conference brings together practitioners, experts, and national and civil society representatives to focus on Enhancing Transparency, Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement. This event includes sessions on "Transparency and Partnerships in Transboundary River Governance," "Negotiating Transboundary River Governance," "Stakeholder Engagement in Transboundary River Governance," and "Next Steps for Strengthening Governance of Transboundary Rivers." Assistant Secretary David Stilwell and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Michael DeSombre will give opening and closing remarks, respectively.
How Bangkok Stopped Sinking – and What the Mekong Delta Could Learn
In the 1980s, the city of Bangkok, Thailand, was sinking at a rate of 10 cm a year. Rapid development and uncontrolled pumping of groundwater threatened the imminent collapse of one of the world’s great cities. Today, despite the increased density of buildings and people, Bangkok has slowed its rate of land subsidence to 1…
Mekong-U.S. Partnership at a glance
The Mekong-U.S. Partnership expands cooperation between the United States and the countries of the Mekong region.
Mekong-U.S. Partnership Joint Statement
The United States and Mekong Partner countries released a Joint Statement on the launch of the Mekong-U.S. Partnership.
Monitoring the Mekong Drought
As part of the Mekong Water Data Initiative (MWDI), the Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) is continuing its long-standing collaboration with Eyes on Earth in a new effort to provide near real-time monitoring of climate conditions in the Mekong region. This collaboration begins as northeastern Thailand, central Cambodia, and parts of Myanmar continue to experience the most…
U.S., Vietnam Discuss Drought and Salinity Management
The Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) and its partners launched the first Mekong Virtual Symposium today, focusing on issues of drought and salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta. More than 200 participants registered for the one and a half-hour session online, which discussed ways in which the Mekong Delta in Vietnam—an important agricultural production area—can combat…
July 14 Webinar: Fostering Solutions and Collaboration for a Sustainable Mekong River Delta
Mark your calendars for July 14 from 10:00 PM - 11:30 PM EDT for the Fostering Solutions and Collaboration for a Sustainable Mekong River Delta webinar, where global and regional experts will discuss the threats to the Mekong River Delta including increasing saltwater intrusion and drought. The Mekong River is home to one of the most productive and biodiverse…
Foundations for Strategic Lower Mekong Hydropower and Water Resources Management
This program led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) built technical capacity across the Mekong region for integrated river planning and management to help ensure that energy development projects consider social and environmental considerations while improving energy security.
Drought and Dams: Climatologist’s Report Sparks calls for Data Sharing
A river monitoring report has sparked calls around the region for better data sharing on water use and dam operation on the Mekong. The report, by US-based climatologist Alan Basist and his team at the private consulting firm Eyes on Earth, suggests that the operation of hydropower dams in China may be contributing to downstream…
