Australia supports climate change initiatives in the Mekong basin
Vientiane Times, 03 Nov 2009
The Australian government, through its aid agency AusAID, yesterday agreed to provide grants worth US$3.5 million for the design and implementation of the Mekong Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI).
According to a press released issued by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the grant contact for the Mekong CCAI was signed yesterday at the MRC office in Vientiane by Deputy Director of AusAID's Asia Division, Mr Richard Moore, and MRC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jeremy Bird.
The Mekong CCAI aims to develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies to deal with the consequences across the basin of an increase in the mean temperature, potentially higher rainfall and more frequent flooding in some parts of the basin, more droughts in other parts, and sea level rises impacting the delta.
“The launching of the Mekong CCAI is the second step in a climate change partnership between Australia and MRC,” the press release said.
“The first step focused on estimating likely changes in temperature, rainfalls and river flows based on downscaling global predictions of climate change.”
The early support from Australia for climate change adaptation work is very significant and is enabling the MRC to make important progress. The total budget for the CCAI through to 2015 is US$15 million.
Mr Moore said the goal of the Australian Mekong Water Resource programme is to promote regional cooperation to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development through efficient use and management of the water resources of the Mekong region.
“We see the Mekong CCAI as a welcome new initiative that we are pleased to be supporting,” said Mr Moore.
The Mekong CCAI is part of a broader partnership between the MRC and the Australian government. Since 2007, Australia has pledged A$20 million to the MRC, making it a major donor to the organisation.
This funding supports a range of activities including the development of trans-boundary water resource professionals.
It also supports the regional component of a Mekong Integrated Water Resource Management project focusing on water utilisation negotiations, technical coordination, navigation, basin development planning, and establishment of an improved MRC system for monitoring and evaluating project and programme performance.
The Mekong CCAI is an initiative of the MRC and its framework has been finalised and endorsed by the MRC Joint Committee and a detailed work plan has been completed for the first two phases of the initiative.
Vientiane Times, 03 Nov 2009
The Australian government, through its aid agency AusAID, yesterday agreed to provide grants worth US$3.5 million for the design and implementation of the Mekong Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI).
According to a press released issued by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the grant contact for the Mekong CCAI was signed yesterday at the MRC office in Vientiane by Deputy Director of AusAID's Asia Division, Mr Richard Moore, and MRC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jeremy Bird.
The Mekong CCAI aims to develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies to deal with the consequences across the basin of an increase in the mean temperature, potentially higher rainfall and more frequent flooding in some parts of the basin, more droughts in other parts, and sea level rises impacting the delta.
“The launching of the Mekong CCAI is the second step in a climate change partnership between Australia and MRC,” the press release said.
“The first step focused on estimating likely changes in temperature, rainfalls and river flows based on downscaling global predictions of climate change.”
The early support from Australia for climate change adaptation work is very significant and is enabling the MRC to make important progress. The total budget for the CCAI through to 2015 is US$15 million.
Mr Moore said the goal of the Australian Mekong Water Resource programme is to promote regional cooperation to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development through efficient use and management of the water resources of the Mekong region.
“We see the Mekong CCAI as a welcome new initiative that we are pleased to be supporting,” said Mr Moore.
The Mekong CCAI is part of a broader partnership between the MRC and the Australian government. Since 2007, Australia has pledged A$20 million to the MRC, making it a major donor to the organisation.
This funding supports a range of activities including the development of trans-boundary water resource professionals.
It also supports the regional component of a Mekong Integrated Water Resource Management project focusing on water utilisation negotiations, technical coordination, navigation, basin development planning, and establishment of an improved MRC system for monitoring and evaluating project and programme performance.
The Mekong CCAI is an initiative of the MRC and its framework has been finalised and endorsed by the MRC Joint Committee and a detailed work plan has been completed for the first two phases of the initiative.
