The Lower Mekong region remains highly vulnerable to increased flood and drought. To offset the increased risk, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and its partners are deploying innovative information and communication technologies to assist governments and communities manage extreme weather conditions.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
S. Korean consortium expected to win $4.8 bn LNG power plant order in Central Vietnam
The near $5 billion LNG power project involves building an LNG power plant across a 1.2 million square meter space in Quang Tri Province along the central coast. The first phase of the project – worth 2.5 trillion won – is to build a 1,500-megawatt (MW) power plant. Total project cost is expected to reach 5.5 trillion won when including second and third phases.
Thai minister sows confusion over 2026 plastic import ban
This appeared to be a compromise that allowed Thai plastics recyclers the opportunity to continue their businesses, while giving the country’s domestic collection infrastructure the time to supply the raw materials that would be lost by the import ban.
‘Kingdom shouldn’t over rely on Belt and Road Initiative’
Cambodia should look beyond China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for growth despite the commerce minister noting the country was receiving big benefits from it, economists say.
100m giant Buddha statue to grace US$5 billion Chinese-led SEZ
The government believes the US$5 billion project in Vientiane will significantly boost the country’s economic growth and generate job opportunities for local people. Upon completion, the 99-year concession project will encompass a residential area, public parks and green spaces, a lake, a hospital, an education centre, restaurants, a sports complex, and a commercial centre.
USAID GPL provides small grants to protect forests
The small grant will be handed out to 56 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in Preah Vihear, Kratie, Kampong Thom, and Stung Treng between 12 to 18 months for natural resource protection.
Thailand BOI approves measures to support carbon reduction
The board approved a series of promotion measures to encourage investments that will reduce impact on the environment, support sustainable development, and participate to the development of the BCG model (Bio, Circular and Green economy).
Cost-efficient solutions for the reduction of plastic waste
The local aspect of the approach covers manufacturing technology locally, which creates jobs and collaboration with local communities. Avoiding imports saves time and cost and reduces the carbon footprint while boosting the local economy.
New China-Myanmar corridor creating economic opportunities
At the end of August, the first batch of cargo arrived in China’s Sichuan province via the new China-Myanmar corridor. The goods started out in the Port of Singapore from where they were shipped through the Indian Ocean to Yangon, before being transported on to China via road and then rail.
Thailand ranks top in Asean for heritage sites
Thailand ranked top in Asean for heritage, but second in Asia behind India which came 6th in the global list.