MANILA, PHILIPPINES (5 June 2015) – The Asian Development Bank has approved a pioneering regional technical assistance initiative, with finance from the Nordic Development Fund, to help Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam respond to climate-induced health threats.

The GMS Program, with the support of ADB and other development partners, helps identify and implement high-priority subregional projects in a wide range of sectors.

ADB has helped turn former war-torn Greater Mekong Subregion countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam into a booming tourist destination.

In the Greater Mekong Subregion, freight transport plays a crucial role in the expansion of trade and economic development.

Greater Mekong Subregion countries need to strengthen the resilience of their natural and human systems to safeguard the region’s natural wealth and development gains in the face of climate change challenges.

The Greater Mekong Subregion is one of the world's fastest growing regions. However, the rapid pace of economic development, and reliance on natural resources, has been accompanied by considerable environmental damage. 

This edition of the GMS e-Updates features milestones achieved at the 5th GMS Summit, 4th Environment Ministers’ Meeting, sector updates on agriculture, energy, environment, human resource development, tourism, transport and trade facilitation, and urban development.
GMS e-Updates provides information about key activities and major developments in the GMS as the six countries sharing the Mekong River strive to accelerate the region’s development.
In this issue:

Board Information Paper on the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program, Fifth GMS Summit, Bangkok, Thailand, 19-20 December 2014.

NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR (29 January 2015) – Greater Mekong Subregion countries pledged to redouble efforts to protect and enhance their natural assets—including forests, farmlands, wetlands and water bodies—to ensure they contribute to inclusive and sustainable development, amid concerns that failure to take action threatens the subregion’s growth prospects.