INNOVATION NEEDED TO IMPROVE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MEKONG

Agricultural Development and Commercialization

Bangkok, Thailand (14h00 BKK time), 31 August 2020 – The public sector should consider new and alternative financing tools and technologies to support water infrastructure development in the Mekong region, according to a new report jointly released by the OECD Development Centre, Asian Development Bank Institute and Mekong Institute today.  

The report, Innovation for Water Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Region, highlights the importance of novel approaches to further develop water infrastructure as a response to the socioeconomic and environmental challenges in the Mekong river basin.

Speaking during the online seminar on Water Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Region today, experts emphasized the need to explore alternative approaches to infrastructure financing, such as crowdfunding and tokenisation using digital technologies, in support of public funding. However, they also pointed out that enabling policies and institutional frameworks should be put in place to support financial technology growth among Mekong countries.

The report also encourages policymakers to address emerging issues on water and wastewater services in the region, including by improving local regulations and supporting efforts to build infrastructure for safe and reliable water supply to the public. The COVID-19 outbreak demonstrated the importance of robust water sources for controlling the spread of the disease and promoting good hygiene and sanitation. The report also identifies nature-based solutions to enhancing the resilience of communities against natural disasters and other hazards. Feasible innovations include the use of digital tools to enable early warning systems.

The private sector has a crucial role to play in supporting such water infrastructure development. Long-term investors, such as insurance corporations and pension funds, can help finance improvements in water supply, sanitation, and inland water transport. Spillover tax revenues can strengthen private sector involvement in these initiatives.

Lastly, the report underscores the need for strong domestic policies and regional cooperation, since many of the key threats and issues faced by the river basin are transboundary in nature.

For further information on Innovation for Water Infrastructure Development in the Mekong Region, please visit: www.mekonginstitute.orgwww.adb.org/adbi/main, and www.oecd.org/dev/asia-pacific.

Journalists are invited to contact Ms. Pornwilai Pumira, External Relations Manager, Mekong Institute ([email protected]/+66-98-584-7446); Mr. Kensuke Tanaka, Head of Asia Desk, OECD Development Centre ([email protected]/+33-6-27-19-0519); Mr. David Hendrickson, Communication Specialist, ADBI ([email protected] / +81 3 3593 5506).

Related News

Scroll to Top

Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.