Specifically, the amount of water from upstream to the Mekong Delta in 2020 decreased by 157 billion m3 compared to 2011, while the amount of sediment fell by 14 million tons compared to 2017 (37%).
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Vietnam has golden opportunity to make electric cars
Vietnam will have 1 million electrified vehicles by 2028 and 4.5 million electric cars by 2050 if it takes full advantage of the current golden opportunity.
Thailand’s going electric still a remote prospect
This price range is only accessible to about 1% of the population. If the price of an EV car remains exorbitant and unaffordable for most. At this rate, the goal of seeing everyone driving EVs by 2035 will never materialise.
Mekong countries endorse plan for post-pandemic growth
The projects are backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which said the pandemic has pushed eight million more people in GMS countries into poverty, adding that more than 340,000 migrant workers have been forced to return home.
Myanmar junta to auction over 12,000 tons of illegal timber
Myanma Timber Enterprise, the state-run entity which controls Myanmar’s timber sales, said the timber for sale includes 1,500 tons of teak logs and 1,000 tons of sawn teak. The auction will be held in Yangon’s Insein Township with buyers bidding online.
Lao officials and Chinese CEOs meet at China-ASEAN Expo
According to Gao Yan, chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, in 2020, Chinese enterprises invested $1.24 billion directly into Laos, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, up 8.9% year on year.
Laos and China innovate poverty reduction cooperation along Mekong River
Along the Mekong River which winds through the mountains in northern and central Laos, the poverty alleviation projects with China aid are solidly advanced there with innovation made.
LOCA and BYD LAO launch EV acceleration pilot program
The program is aiming to accelerate the electric vehicle adoption among LOCA taxi and delivery drivers to drive down the cost and create a long-term environmental impact. The two companies are aiming to use this initiative to show the policymaker and the consumers that the EV is most suitable for the Lao market as the country’s vision is to be the battery of Southeast Asia.
Island of rubbish: Koh Samui’s pollution problem remains unsolved
One of Thailand’s most iconic islands is that of Koh Samui. As the largest and most developed island in the Gulf of Thailand, it is known for its upscale spas, yoga retreats and unparalleled beaches. However, upon arriving, many visitors say they are unenviably shocked by the amount of rubbish that has gone rogue throughout the island’s shores and roads. And, on second thought, this picture-perfect island may not be the tropical paradise that they had envisioned.
ADB welcomes Mekong group’s 10-year development strategy
The ADB says for the first time the GMS has laid out a clear mission and the bank is willing to work with group members to bring economic growth and help combat threats such as climate change, trade barriers, rapid urbanization and pandemics such as the Coronavirus.