Climate Change Knowledge Sharing in Southeast Asia

As part of the MRC's endeavors to increase understanding of the effects of climate change on the Mekong and to develop methods to mitigate and or adapt to these changes, formulation of the MRC’s Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative began in July 2008. The regional forum in Bangkok was part of this process.

To ensure the highest quality research and encourage transboundary knowledge-sharing and dialogue, the initiative brings together numerous partners and places a strong focus on stakeholder participation. Knowledge-sharing was strengthened significantly in December 2008 with the signing by the MRC of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South East Asian regional arm of the Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training (START).

Under the MOU, the two organisations will cooperate to study climate change and adaptation; assess the hydrology of the Mekong River Basin; share knowledge and information on operational modeling capabilities where they relate to climate change, mitigation or hydrological scenarios; and exchange data and technical publications.

START is an international research network sponsored by the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimension Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP) and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) to promote multidisciplinary research on the human and environmental affects of global changes. START has nine regional research centres worldwide and its regional research centre for Southeast Asia is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

The MOU was signed in Vientiane, Lao PDR, by Mr. Jeremy Bird, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat and Dr. Anond Snidvongs, Director of the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for START.

"The Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative of the MRC will provide tools and processes for including climate change impacts and adaptation strategies into planning and management of water resources," Mr. Bird said at the signing. "This cooperation between the MRC and Southeast Asia START Regional Centre will benefit the two organisations through sharing of information and will enable each to build on findings of the other."

Above text is from: http://www.mrcmekong.org/mekongnews/issue20091_JanJun.htm

For more information about the organisations, visit the Southeast Asia START Regional Centre and Mekong River Commission.