The international conference “Green Growth on the Rise in the Mekong River Basin: From Concept to Reality” will take place 1-2 July in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam, co-hosted by GGGI and the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee (VNMC). The rising concept of green growth brings together top-tier experts on water, green growth and sustainable development to discuss the future of the Mekong River Basin and beyond.
The conference will provide a discussion platform to navigate the green growth opportunities across the Basin and beyond, based on up-to-date knowledge and international case studies. It will mainly aim to 1) discuss the concept of water and green growth in the context of sustainable development; 2) examine from the socio-economic perspectives the role of water as one of the promoters of green growth; 3) serve as a platform for knowledge sharing on global water agenda to realize green growth from policy to action, under the six sub-themed sessions: Water and green growth in the context of sustainable development; climate change and water; integrated approach to water-related policy-making; sustainable water infrastructure; water as natural capital; and water and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
GGGI has engaged in the Mekong River Basin since 2012. In 2013, GGGI and VNMC launched a project to resolve the current water-related challenges in the Mekong Delta. As part of this effort, GGGI will launch final paper publication which includes a tailor-made tool to prioritize the scanned green growth opportunities in the Mekong Delta.
The Mekong River Basin shared by Lower Mekong countries – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand – serves a rapidly growing population of millions as a vital source of living with its abundant natural resources. However, the adverse impacts from rapid economic growth and social and environmental changes, i.e. climate change, urbanization, and population growth have created an immense pressure on socio-economic development and natural resources management across national boundaries, thereby urging strong international cooperation. Taking account of those challenges and current and potential development plans underway in the region, it is necessary and timely to bring the concept of green growth to the Basin, through which various sectors work towards achieving economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.