Khon Kaen, Thailand, 22 May 2026 — Government officials, technical experts, researchers, and development practitioners from across the Lancang–Mekong (LM) region gathered in Northeast Thailand for a five-day Regional Learning Visit on Flood and Drought Risk Management for Climate-Resilient Agriculture to strengthen practical capacities on climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable water resources management.
The learning visit was jointly implemented by the Mekong Institute (MI) and Lancang–Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (LMWRCC) with support from the Government of China.
A total of 30 participants and experts from Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam joined the programme, representing government agencies, irrigation and water resources authorities, agricultural institutions, research organizations, and civil society organizations working on flood and drought risk management, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
In their remarks, LMWRCC Secretary-General Mr. Wang Hongming and MI Executive Director Mr. Suriyan Vitchilekarn emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and practical knowledge exchange to address growing climate-related risks affecting agriculture, water resources, and local livelihoods across the LM region.
“Climate is not only an environmental issue but also a challenge linked to food security, livelihoods, and human security, requiring stronger local preparedness and adaptive capacity,” said Mr. Suriyan.
Mr. Wang noted that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC), with water resources continuing to serve as a key area of collaboration delivering practical benefits to communities across the region.
The learning visit formed the second component of a broader regional capacity development programme. Participants had previously completed an online foundation course covering technical concepts and analytical tools related to flood and drought risk assessment, including drought indices, flood mapping, and climate risk analysis applications.
For this second component, technical sessions focused on climate forecasting, rainfall variability, drought index interpretation, and modelling applications for climate-resilient agriculture. Participants also engaged in group discussions and practical reflections on how the tools and approaches could be adapted within their own institutional and local contexts.
The field visits featured climate adaptation and water management sites in Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces, including the Soil-Cement Check Dam Project, the Nong Raeng Thao Monkey Cheek Area, the Mun Bon Operation and Maintenance Project, and the Khok Nong Na Model Learning Center. They demonstrated practical approaches to water retention, irrigation management, sustainable agriculture, integrated farming systems, and community-based climate resilience.
Participants exchanged experiences directly with local authorities, irrigation officers, technical experts, and community representatives managing flood and drought risks at the local level. They noted that the learning visit helped strengthen their understanding of practical local solutions and community-based approaches to support broader regional resilience efforts.
On the final day, participants developed mini action plans to apply the knowledge and tools gained through the programme within their institutions and communities. Proposed activities included flood and drought analysis, installation of community-based weather monitoring systems, development of inclusive early warning systems, and strengthening local preparedness mechanisms for vulnerable communities.
The representative from LMWRCC emphasized the importance of translating regional learning into practical local actions. He noted that LMWRCC, together with MI, would continue providing technical support and mentorship to participants in implementing their mini action plans and strengthening long-term climate resilience across the LM region.
