Hydroelectric dam building in China and Laos is increasingly damaging the Mekong River, which has the world’s most important freshwater fishery.

Vientiane (VNA) – The Wealth Power Group of Vietnam has joined two other partners in developing solar power projects in Champasak and Sekong provinces of Laos. The Vientiane Times reported on September 3 that representatives from Wealth Power Group, National Consulting Group Sole Company and Power Company Limited Thepvongsa signed a deal to this effect at […]

The poor, small Southeast Asian country of Laos is set to cede majority control of its electric grid to a Chinese company, as it struggles to stave off a potential debt default, people with direct knowledge of the agreement said. The deal comes at a time when critics accuse Beijing of “debt trap diplomacy” to gain […]

Five months into the COVID-19 pandemic, East Asian countries like Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea have garnered widespread praise for their effective handling of the coronavirus. Nearby Laos, with just 22 confirmed cases and no deaths, has gone largely unnoticed. While the World Health Organization has praised Laos’ prevention measures as “exemplary,” the mountainous Southeast […]

This policy was authorised by ASEAN Member State as of June 2020, and contributed by ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT).

This policy was authorised by ASEAN Member State as of June 2020, and contributed by ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT).

China’s extensive damming of the upper Mekong River has reduced water flows, threatening downstream countries Cambodia and Vietnam with environmental harm and food shortages, said experts in advance of a summit meeting of the multilateral  Mekong-Lancang Cooperation group.

Can Tho (VNA) – This year’s flood season in the Mekong Delta is likely to arrive late and if there is insufficient rain in the months to come, drought and saltwater intrusion may plague the region again during the next dry season, experts have said. Ky Quang Vinh, former head of the office for climate change issues in […]

A report issued last week revealed that, worldwide, migratory freshwater fish have declined by 76% since 1970. This result joins a growing and dispiriting list of dramatic declines for biodiversity and wildlife. However, it also highlights a continuing threat to food security for many regions of the world.

The Mekong River Commission has urged China and lower Mekong countries to share more data on hydropower dam operations. Because water flow in the Mekong River has hit record low levels for a second consecutive year. A report by the commission attributes the low water level to two years of reduced rainfall and the operations of […]