Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024: Forging Partnerships for a Climate-resilient Mekong Subregion
Bangkok, Thailand | The Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024 will bring together leading voices in research, policy, and development to shape the future of the Mekong subregion in the face of growing climate challenges.
Hosted by the Stockholm Environment Institute Asia Centre (SEI Asia), in partnership with Chulalongkorn University’s Social Research Institute, and supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Swedish Embassy through the Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET), the Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024 will convene policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives, and development practitioners from across the Mekong subregion and Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia is at the frontline of climate change impacts, grappling with rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. The Mekong River, a critical resource for over 70 million people, faces increasing challenges that require immediate and coordinated action to ensure environmental and economic sustainability.
“The Mekong subregion is at a crossroads,” said Niall O’Connor, Centre Director, SEI Asia. “There are critical challenges in water, energy, and climate governance. This event is an essential opportunity for stakeholders to showcase inspiring solutions and to collaborate on creating robust, adaptive policies that can drive sustainable development in the region."
Australia remains a committed partner in the subregion, supporting local and regional organisations to produce high-quality, inclusive, and policy-relevant research.
“The climate emergency is a global challenge that demands international cooperation," said Ms. Julia Feeney, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Thailand.
“Supporting regional and national organisations to undertake locally led research that would shape policies is central to our efforts under the Mekong-Australia Partnership,” Ms. Feeney added.
On 8 October, the Mekong Regional Water, Energy, and Climate Policy Forum 2024 will provide an interactive platform for thought leaders and research organisations to exchange strategies, lessons, and best practices to influence policy through evidence-based research.
The Regional Roundtable on Solutions for Climate Resilience in Southeast Asia on 9 October will gather diverse stakeholders to explore practical approaches to enhance climate resilience in the subregion. Key topics will include nature-based solutions, green energy, transboundary climate risks, and climate finance. This solutions-oriented forum will drive action across academia, government, and civil society, while addressing local communities' climate risks and livelihood concerns.
Strategic meetings will be held in the same week among Mekong organisations to discuss inclusive knowledge co-production and policy engagement strategies in water, energy, and climate.
Read more about Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 7-10 October 2024
All information about Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024.
About SEI Asia
SEI Asia, based in Bangkok, has a diverse team of multinational experts that integrates scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships, and influence policy for resilient development. It focuses on finding solutions to challenges in gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity, and integrated water resources management. SEI Asia explores strategic partnerships and innovative approaches in transitional agriculture, renewable energy, urbanization, climate finance, circular economy practices, and nature-based solutions.
About Mekong-Australia Partnership
The Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) is a flexible program that responds to shared regional and transboundary challenges, and emerging needs. It supports locally owned activities. Australia engages pragmatically and flexibly in support of the subregion's priorities and where Australia can add value.
Through MAP, we are working with Mekong partners to: improve water security and respond to climate change; enhance economic resilience of the Mekong subregion to external shocks and pressures; combat transnational crime; and strengthen subregional leadership, institutions, and partnerships.
The AUD 232 million first phase of MAP was launched in November 2020 to bolster the subregion's resilience and support inclusive, sustainable growth. At the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2024, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced a AUD 222.5 million second phase of MAP.
The Mekong subregion (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam) is important to Australia. Australia is working with the Mekong subregion to tackle shared development challenges and ensure a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
For interviews and further information, please contact:
Charmaine Caparas, Communications Manager, SEI Asia, charmaine.caparas@sei.org
My Lê, Media Fellow, SEI Asia, my.le@sei.org
Ulrika Lamberth, Senior Press Officer, SEI, ulrika.lamberth@sei.org, +46 73 801 70 53
