The GMS is undergoing a rapid economic growth and industrial development that resulted in a significant increase of air, water and soil pollution, and related risks like declining human health, disruptions in food chains, and inadequate quality of drinking water.
The GMS Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Program (CCESP) Inception Workshop was held online on 23–24 September 2021, which gathered more than 100 participants from the different GMS countries. The workshop was co-hosted and co-chaired by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The event formally marks the start of the implementation of ADB's TA 9915 or the GMS CCESP.
The Asian Development Bank is convening its first Healthy Oceans Tech and Finance Forum on 26-28 January 2022 that will cover 4 thematic tracks: (1) Plastic-free Oceans, (2) Coastal Resilience, (3) Ocean Finance, and (4) Blue Foods.
The ASEAN High-level Forum on Subregional Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth initiated by the Government of Viet Nam on 30 November 2021 provided a platform for ASEAN Member States, subregional frameworks, external partners, international organizations, and the private sector to discuss opportunities and challenges in subregions in the ASEAN. The Forum held the following sessions:
The Viet Nam Industry 4.0 Summit 2021 highlighted the creation of a sustainable socioeconomic recovery and growth in Viet Nam in the post-COVID-19 era, and promoted industrialization and modernization in the digital age.
Mr. Andrew Jeffries, Country Director for ADB Viet Nam Resident Mission, joined the plenary discussion on post-pandemic economic recovery and digital transformation as a new vehicle for green recovery on 5 December 2021.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Economic and Finance of the Government of Cambodia, held a virtual discussion on the status of Cambodia’s fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and pathways for the country’s transformation to this new industrial model by 2030 on 7-8 December 2021.
Traffic in the road in Vientiane.
Vientiane, the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, has a growing population living and working within a hub of government, tourism, educational, religious, commercial institutions, and residential areas. Its narrow, convoluted streets are overflowing with vehicles.
Photo by ADB
Demonstrations or pilot farms were implemented in large scale in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) during the Core Agriculture Support Program (CASP) and will continue to form an important part in the GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (SAFSP). At least 12 demos will be set up across the subregion. These demos will offer important learning opportunities for target groups, especially the farmers, and practical results will provide feedback for policy making process.
Greater Mekong Subregion Secretariat
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Address: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4444 Fax: +63 2 8636 2226
