Bangkok, November 20, 2025 – Mekong Institute (MI) Executive Director Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn joined regional leaders and experts at the Mekong Environmental Resilience Week (MERW) 2025, held from November 18–20 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event convened over 100 stakeholders under the theme “Learning from the Past, Shaping Inclusive Futures for Mekong Resilience.”
MERW 2025 marked two major milestones: the culmination of the Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks (MTT) Network Program, supported by the Mekong–Australia Partnership, and the 20th Anniversary of the Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET), funded by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Since its launch in 2005, SUMERNET has grown into a regionally owned, impact-driven network of more than 900 members, advancing sustainability and evidence-based policy processes across the Mekong.
As a panelist in the MTT Alliance Meeting and the MTT–SUMERNET Regional Policy Forum, Mr. Suriyan highlighted the strategic role of think tanks in shaping policy for the water–energy–climate nexus.
“Think tanks must proactively shape policy rather than simply respond to existing agendas. The Mekong’s future depends on our ability to think forward together and influence decisions that matter,” he said during the session on opportunities for the network to continue shaping policy and practice.
The Regional Policy Forum showcased innovative approaches—from community-driven water governance to cross-border research partnerships—that are shaping the region’s response to complex sustainability challenges. Parallel sessions explored pressing issues such as water-energy interfaces, climate-water interactions, and nature-based solutions.
Mr. Suriyan also conveyed MI’s congratulations to SUMERNET for its two decades of impact:
“SUMERNET’s achievements and its network model are truly inspiring. MI looks forward to learning from this experience as we continue shaping our own efforts in building collaborative networks,” he noted.
Looking ahead, MI expressed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and other partners, particularly through the upcoming Mekong Forum 2026, where MI aims to co-organize sessions that advance regional dialogue on resilience and sustainability.
The event concluded with the launch of SUMERNET PLUS, a new phase dedicated to fostering just and sustainable transitions for a climate-resilient Mekong.
