Ministers endorse new environment agenda for the greater Mekong Subregion

Environment ministers from the six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) endorsed a 5-year environment agenda that includes more than $540 million worth of priority projects to spur green investments and increase environmental cooperation to help the subregion achieve sustainable growth.

The ministers approved the Core Environment Program (CEP) Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2018-2022 during the Fifth GMS Environment Ministers' Meeting from 30 January to 1 February in Chiang Mai. The program, which was launched in 2006 and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is embarking on its third phase. It has already helped lift over 30,000 people from poverty in the rural areas in the subregion.

“CEP has been instrumental in building trust and understanding between GMS countries for environmental efforts, and we will work further to strengthen the subregion’s cooperation in addressing environmental challenges together,” said Gen. Surasak Karnjanarat, Thailand’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. “The meeting provided us an opportunity to take stock of our progress and achievements, share knowledge, and discuss trends, directions, and emerging issues in the environment sector.”

Photo for illustration. Source: Vietnamplus
Photo for illustration. Source: Vietnamplus 

Apart from the $540 million worth of investments focused on land-use management, waste management, pollution control, and climate-proofing of rural infrastructure, the 5-year strategy will also pave the way for a new project preparation facility, which will help GMS countries fill investment gaps for green growth, mainly through project preparation and financing. A green technology platform will also be established to act as a marketplace to connect technology providers with adopters, focusing on technology for waste management, renewable energy, fuel efficiency, climate resilience, and disaster risk management, among others.

The CEP has raised over $100 million in additional financing, including $98 million for biodiversity and conservation, created 2.6 million hectares of biodiversity corridors in 7 transboundary landscapes, and trained more than 19,000 stakeholders in over 500 training and knowledge events.

“Since 2006, CEP has strengthened its position as the foremost environment initiative in the GMS,” said Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. “We will carry forward the key actions determined throughout this meeting to help achieve inclusive and sustainable development in the GMS.”

The event included a 2-day forum on green growth, titled Inclusive Green Growth: Investing for a Sustainable Future, which focused on policy dialogues and events on green technologies, green energy, sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience, and natural resources investments.

PSNews

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.