For instance, the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) allows each of the six-member countries – Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam – to issue up to 500 GMS Road Transport Permits and Temporary Admission Documents (TADs) for goods and passenger vehicles registered, owned and/or operated in that country.
Category: Mekong
Programme promotes India-Mekong Sub-region cross-border trade
A programme to promote cross-border trade connectivity between India and countries in the Greater Mekong Sub region (GMS) was jointly held by trade promotion agencies of Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Thailand on August 19.
Bridging geopolitics and infrastructure in Southeast Asia
For developing countries in Southeast Asia, growing global interest in their infrastructure needs has been cause for both excitement and concern. In 2021, the G7 announced its support for the US-led ‘Build Back Better World’ (B3W) initiative, while the European Union unveiled its own ‘Globally Connected Europe’ infrastructure strategy.
Wet-season dam operations hit Mekong ecology and communities
“With sudden changes in water flows and levels, communities [on the Mekong] have seen their riverbanks and boats washed away, and declines in fisheries [as well as] other aquatic resources which have devastated people’s livelihoods.”
Strengthening Water Diplomacy Through Water Data Sharing and Inclusive Evidence-Based Transboundary Governance
It examines what options exist for improved evidence-based transboundary water governance in the Mekong-Lancang basin building from recent improvements in basin-wide water data sharing. I
Mekong talks not inclusive
Attended by officials via an online communications platform, the organisers of the MRC/ASEAN meeting have been criticised for excluding members of local communities, civil society groups and NGOs, who have criticised management of the river in the past. Without meaningful engagement with civil society groups, each meeting will be just another talk shop.
Programme promotes India-Mekong Sub-region cross-border trade
The programme is part of activities of the Mekong – India SME Internationalisation Programme funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of India and GMS member countries into global value chains and promote the India-GMS trade connectivity.
Mekong Basin issues need political will, activists say
“From upriver in China down to the delta in Vietnam, throughout the course of the Mekong River, people are suffering from adverse impacts of hydropower dam projects. I hope the governments of Mekong countries will have courage to discuss this problem and find a substantial solution.”
Damming the Mekong Basin to environmental hell
For starters, by reducing the flow of freshwater and nutrient-rich sediment from the Himalayas into the sea, these mega-dams are causing a retreat of the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. The resulting seawater intrusion is forcing rice farmers to switch to shrimp farming or growing reeds.
ASEAN, Mekong River Commission to Convene Inaugural Water Security Dialogue
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Mekong River Commission will hold their first ever Water Security Dialogue to garner innovative solutions to address emerging challenges on water security across the region.