In the Greater Mekong Subregion, 200 million people in rural areas depend on their surrounding environment for food, water, energy, and income. Forests, wetlands, mangroves, farmlands, and other ecosystems account for between 20% and 55% of the subregion's wealth.
The Working Group on Environment (WGE) provides overall leadership and direction for the subregion's Core Environment Program.
These natural ecosystems – and the food, water, energy and other vital elements they provide – lie at the heart of the development of the Greater Mekong Subregion. How these natural resources are protected, managed, and enhanced will determine the long-term sustainability of its environment and economic development.
Overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, vulnerability to climate change, and ever-increasing natural disasters are threatening these ecosystems. In addition, environmental degradation is posing risks to sustained long-term growth, and could cost a whopping $55 billion in foregone services over the next 25 years if left unchecked.
Unless there is better planning and management, the subregion’s resource-intensive development approach could lead to food shortages, price shocks, health hazards, and environmental damage that impact thousands of families and put businesses at risk.
To address these issues, the six GMS countries are partnering to protect and enhance their natural capital through the GMS Core Environment Program with the vision of a poverty-free and ecologically rich subregion.
The program is administered by the Asian Development Bank and overseen by the GMS Working Group on the Environment, made up of representatives of the GMS environment ministries. The work is coordinated by the GMS Environment Operations Center, which is hosted by ADB’s Thailand Resident Mission.
With support from this program, countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion are working to meet the increasing demand for food, energy, water, and other natural resources, while at the same time ensuring that resources are available for future generations. This includes balancing rapid growth with sustainable practices, and protecting vital water resources, controlling floods, preserving biodiversity and critical ecosystems, and mitigating the impacts of urban expansion.
At the 5th GMS Environment Ministers' Meeting in Chiang Mai from 30 January to 1 February 2018, the ministers endorsed the Core Environment Program Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2018-2022.
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Cambodia’s national environment plan provides the country with a road map for achieving many of its Sustainable Development Goals.
Germany and the European Union have renewed their support to strengthen transboundary water cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
This publication highlights how the Greater Mekong Subregion Core Environment Program has contributed to sustainable development over the last decade.
Applying the Industrial Pollution Projection System is an important first step toward mainstreaming pollution concerns into strategic planning in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have agreed to strengthen joint efforts to fight illegal fishing practices and increase fish stock in the Mekong-Sekong basin.
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to work together to protect wildlife and ecosystems in transboundary forest areas.
The German government is supporting two projects between Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), and between Cambodia and Thailand to better manage resources in the Mekong River basin and address flood and drought issues.
A $10 million climate insurance program targets women farmers in Africa and Asia, including Cambodia and Myanmar.
This is the summary of proceedings from the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Environment (WGE AM-23) held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 12 July 2017.
Risk financing can help at-risk communities better cope with the economic costs of natural disasters and extreme weather.
