INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEKONG SUBREGION”

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEKONG SUBREGION”

JUNE 2024

ORGANIZED BY HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF LAW

The Mekong River is the largest river in Southeast Asia, flowing through the territories of six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It plays a crucial role in ensuring livelihoods, food security, and energy for millions of people living along its basin. However, excessive exploitation of the river without proper and effective management mechanisms has been warned to potentially lead to irreversible changes in geohydrological characteristics, destructive impacts on one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, and a series of other negative consequences on the lives of populations in riparian countries.

Sustainable exploitation of the Mekong River is not only confined to water resources and cooperation mechanisms among riparian countries but is also linked to a range of policies on circular economy, international trade, renewable energy, human rights, and numerous other issues. In the context of increasingly severe climate change, the lower Mekong countries need appropriate strategies to protect national interests and enhance effective international cooperation.

In order to provide a platform for experts, scientists, management agencies, enforcers, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and propose suggestions to improve mechanisms for sustainable exploitation of the Mekong River, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law is organizing an international scientific conference with the theme: "Sustainable Development of the Mekong subregion”. The conference program is divided into three sessions with the following topics:

- Session 1: Mekong and the goals of sustainable development on the Mekong Subregion

- Session 2: Water resource exploitation of the Mekong River

- Session 3: Enhancing international trade, investments, and human rights activities to promote sustainable development goals in the Mekong subregion.