Mekong Institute (MI), represented by Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department, participated in the “Workshop on Transboundary Cooperation in the ASEAN Region: Development of the Peace Forest Initiative (PFI)” held from September 11 to 13, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. This three-day workshop was co-organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO). The workshop aimed to ideate and conceptualize regional cross-border cooperation activities that will evolve into concrete action plans. These plans will include rationales and value propositions, linkages to regional priorities and strategies, national and regional restoration/land degradation neutrality (LDN) goals, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other relevant objectives. Through a series of group discussions and consultations, participants identified Watershed Management in the Mekong Countries as a key approach. Four interrelated areas were highlighted:
- Agriculture/Food Forestry/Agroforestry Value Chains (including coffee, tea, and non-timber products)
- Mangroves/Biodiversity
These areas will form the basis for drafting a concept paper that outlines project justifications and regional perspectives while addressing common challenges faced by Mekong countries. The collaborative approach is deemed essential for achieving regional goals.
