WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
Curating news, commentary and resources on development, its environmental and social impacts, and the context affecting the Mekong Region
MEKONG DEVELOPMENT
6 countries vow water cooperation
Lancang-Mekong River countries have vowed strengthened cooperation on water resources management as they forge ahead to cope with common challenges in the basin, including drought caused by climate change.
CAMBODIA
Major clothing brands contribute to deforestation in Cambodia, report finds
A new report suggests that the garment industry is contributing to deforestation in Cambodia due to factories relying on illegal forest wood to generate electricity.
LAOS
Opportunities for U.S. Development Cooperation in Laos
Although Laos is a communist state, in the past two decades, successive governments have sought to open the economy to foreign trade and investment. Yet the United States has not historically had strong economic or diplomatic ties with Laos.
Myanmar
China, Myanmar resume rare-earth trade after border reopening, to ease prices shortly
About half of China’s heavy rare earths, such as dysprosium and terbium, come from Myanmar.
Thailand
CRACKDOWN ON ‘CHANA’ ENVIRONMENT RALLY SEEN AS BETRAYAL
A leader of the anti-Industrial-zone development project in Songkhla province accuses the government of not wanting to honour its agreements made last year to delay and carry out fair assessment on the proposed Chana Industrial Complex.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s commitment at COP26 opens up chances for low-emission growth cooperation: official
Vietnam’s commitment and responsible contributions at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) were highly appreciated by the international community, opening up many opportunities for cooperation in low-emission growth and promoting circular economy in adaptation to climate change, said a Vietnamese official.