The UN progress report on SDGs for the Asia-Pacific region shows that the region is lagging behind on almost two-thirds of the sustainable development targets. 

As the Environment Ministers of Mekong Region countries met in Chiang Mai, Thailand in early February, to approve the Asian Development Bank Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Core Environmental Program Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2018-2022, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Thailand has emphasized the importance of balancing development with the environment. 

As uncertainty and extremes in water availability become the norm in the Mekong region, SUMERNET researchers are joining with policymakers to explore ways to deal with water insecurity, especially for the most vulnerable people.

“Living with Floods in a Mobile Southeast Asia" Panel Discussion and Book Launch: 18 December 2017, 16:15-17:30 at the Auditorium on the 13th Floor of the Faculty of Political Science Building, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

At last month’s Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy held in Yangon, SEI Asia showcased a series of games as learning tools to raise awareness about the critical environmental issues in the Chindwin River Basin in Myanmar.

SUMERNET will hold its "Policy Forum" on 9th November in Bangkok to bring together policy actors and researchers to discuss water insecurity topics in the Mekong Region.

A "Knowledge Exchange Workshop" between the Chindwin and Mekong River Basins will bring together policymakers, researchers, civil society and the media to share knowledge and good practices on biodiversity assessment and protection in the Chindwin River Basin. The workshop will take place in Monywa during 18-19 September.

Applications are invited from journalists for the SUMERNET media workshop: “Communicating on climate change and water insecurity: Mekong and Ayeyarwady/Chindwin River Basins” in Yangon, Myanmar, 25-27 September 2017.