Program Focus:
 
“Conservation, Water & Development in a Changing Climate” - While there are high levels of biodiversity in the lower Mekong, conservation efforts are only just beginning and environmental policies have yet to be fully developed. Vietnam and Cambodia, both newly emerging post-conflict nations with growing economies, are engaged in aggressive development. Each country’s path toward prosperity will have distinct yet profound effects on the natural and cultural landscapes of the region and the livelihoods of rural residents. Drivers of environmental change in the lower Mekong—whether urban expansion, tourism, or climate change - will influence the development trajectories for current and future generations. A fundamental focus of this