CHINA AND MI HIGHLIGHT TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

Sustainable Energy and Environment

In line with Mekong Institute’s (MI) commitment to enhance knowledge-based policies and actions in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the Lancang-Mekong region, a report launch and discussion on “Leveraging Technology to Fight COVID-19: The China Experience and Collective Subregional Response” will be held on June 28, 2021 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am (GMT+7) via Zoom and Facebook channels from the MI Headquarters in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to UNESCAP, senior officials and experts will present how the country’s use of big data, artificial intelligence, and unmanned aerial vehicles accelerated pro-active approaches to better understand the virus, treat infection, and prevent transmission. The discussion will also include the region’s collective socioeconomic response to the pandemic, particularly how these have transformed the health landscape with new and refined capabilities in risk management preparedness.

In addition to the discussion, a video presentation summarizing key findings and results of the “Study on China’s Way of Utilization of Technology to Tackle COVID-19 Pandemic” will be showcased. 

EVENT OBJECTIVES

  1. Highlight China’s technological response to COVID-19 for information sharing of best practices and lessons learned
  2. Present progress and opportunities in optimizing technology for improved public health security in the Lancang-Mekong region context

SPEAKERS AND EVENT OFFICIALS

Mr. Ke Yousheng is the Permanent Representative of China to UNESCAP. He has long been engaged in multilateral cooperation and sustainable development. Beginning in 2020, he serves as one of eight senior members of MI’s Steering Committee, who provides guidance to the intergovernmental organization’s strategic development course.  

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn is Mekong Institute’s Executive Director. He steers the strategic planning and implementation of the intergovernmental organization’s human resource development, capacity strengthening, and research efforts to spur the acceleration of sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation in the GMS. Recognized as a respected development leader and regional integration advocate, Mr. Suriyan holds over 15 years of experience in delivering innovative approaches and sustainable practices across his specialized areas of agriculture and rural development, public- private partnership, and trade facilitation in the GMS and Southeast Asia.

Ms. Liu Yanqin is the research team lead of the “China’s Way of Utilization of Technology to Tackle COVID-19 Pandemic” study. A PhD candidate of the School of Journalism in Fudan University, Ms. Liu has been a journalist for over seven years, developing features on Thailand, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Nepal, and India. Her areas of focus include poverty alleviation, regional development, international communications, and people-to-people understanding.

Dr. Phengta Vongphachanh is an esteemed communicable disease control expert from Vientiane, Lao PDR with 33 years of experience in leading international and national health projects. He is also a prolific author, having co-written 17 research studies on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases ranging from influenza, dengue virus infection, parasitic diseases, and vaccine preventable diseases. He currently serves as a lead consultant on COVID-19 vaccination under the Ministry of Health’s National Immunization Program.

Prof. Wongsa Laohasiriwong is a respected public health expert from Thailand with a PhD and 33 years of teaching experience in health literacy, health security, and evaluation. She is also a prolific author, having co-written 41 academic articles. She currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Public Health at Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Ms. Tina Wang has been with MI for 12 years. As the Program Coordinator of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department, she leads programs and projects that enhance capacities, strengthen institutions, and promote evidence-based policies that support technology and innovation, clean energy systems, and power connectivity across the GMS.

Ms. Wang will serve as emcee and moderator of the event.

REGISTRATION AND ACCESS

The webinar will be livestreamed from the MI Headquarters on June 28, 2021 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am (GMT+7). Register at https://cutt.ly/wngNtVR.

PROGRAM AGENDA

Time (Bangkok Time)

Event

9:00 am to 9:30 am

Online Registration via Zoom

9:30 am to 9:40 am

Welcome Remarks

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director, Mekong Institute

9:40 am to 9:50 am

Opening Remarks

Mr. Ke Yousheng, Permanent Representative of China to UNESCAP and Mekong Institute Steering Committee Member for China

9:50 am to 9:55 am

Project Overview and Objectives of the Event

Ms. Tina Wang, Program Coordinator, Mekong Institute

9:55 am to 10:25 am

Presentation of the Study Results and Video

Ms. Liu Yanqin, PhD. Candidate, School of Journalism, Fudan University

10:25 am to 10:30 am

Lao PDR Experience and Comments to the Study

Dr. Phengta Vongphachanh, Consultant on COVID-19 Vaccination at the National Immunization Program, National Center for Mother and Child Health, Ministry of Health, Lao PDR

10:30 am to 10:35 am

Thailand Experience and Comments to the Study

Prof. Wongsa Laohasiriwong, Public Health Expert and Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

10:35 am to 10:55 am

Discussion

10:55 am to 11: 00 am

Way Forward and Closing Remarks

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn

For more information, please refer to the Concept Note.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries about the event please contact
[email protected]
or
+66 (0) 43 202 411, extension 4102.

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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.