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.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
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.
The young Vietnamese helping tackle the illegal wildlife trade
The 31-year-old founder and executive director of WildAct, a Vietnamese conservation NGO, travels the world as a wildlife conservation scientist. In a fast-growing economy where most people eye lucrative jobs in business and finance and the government regards civil society with scepticism, if not hostility, she stands out.
China promises to raise imports from ASEAN ahead of new rail link
“China will import more distinctive products from ASEAN, expand mutual investment, deepen the industrial supply chain and promote Lancang-Mekong cooperation,” referring to the evolving economic corridor with Indochina.
Mekong Delta authorities speed up erosion prevention projects
Many of them occurred in Can Tho City and the provinces of Ca Mau, An Giang, Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and Tien Giang since June.
Greater Mekong Sub-region development: Leave no one behind says Thai PM
In taking stock of the GMS cooperation, Thailand’s prime minister presented Thailand’s 3C initiatives (Connectivity, Competitiveness, Community) to ensure that the region is able to recover quickly from the negative impacts of the pandemic.
China opens rail line, trade route to Indian Ocean through Myanmar: But will it work?
Whether the new route actually pays off, they add, may hinge on whether and when new rail lines are laid across Myanmar, a challenge made tougher by the violent turmoil the country has tipped into since its Feb. 1 coup.
Should tree plantations count toward reforestation goals? It’s complicated
Government agencies touted the Prey Lang reforestation project in central Cambodia as the country’s first big venture into climate-focused restoration. Cambodia’s Forestry Administration granted South Korean contractor Think Biotech a 34,000-hectare (84,000-acre) reforestation concession for the ostensible purpose of planting trees and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. But what’s happened on the ground doesn’t look much like a win against climate change.