Trouble on the Mekong

The cumulative impacts of climate change, overfishing and hydropower dam development are having detrimental impacts on the many people who rely on the Mekong. The reports detail effects ranging from loss of family income due to declining fish catch numbers and increased damage caused by flooding and water infrastructure development, to gender inequality that disproportionately affects women’s ability to gain employment.

Laos to graduate from Least Developed Country status

According to a statement by the UN, “the three countries will graduate from the LDC category after an exceptionally extended preparatory period of five years, with the standard period being three years, which will enable them to prepare for graduation while planning for a post-Covid-19 recovery and implementing policies and strategies to reverse the economic and social damage incurred by the Covid-19 shock.”