Mekong Region

Working with local partners, the government, and NGOs, GEI has been involved in the development of a new Environment and Natural Resources Code in Cambodia. As part of this effort, GEI has analyzed the legal framework pertaining to community protected areas - a form of community-based natural resource management - to aid in the development of an improved and informed framework, especially one that considers communities’ perspectives.

To bolster transparency of and public participation in China’s overseas development and investments in the Mekong region, GEI has collaborated with a local partner to improve access to such information. Strategies are being explored, including development of an online platform that would be widely accessible.

In promoting legislation development and implementation in the Mekong, GEI has written Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations in Laos and trained regulators on EIA laws in Myanmar.

On the coast of Cambodia, GEI joined forces with a global conservation organization and an international leader in marine conservation private equity investment, building support for Cambodia’s first marine park. This effort will preserve the only stretch of Cambodian coast free of environmentally devastating tourist development, thereby enhancing Cambodia’s climate preparedness and response.

As a major wildlife protection organization considered expanding its already extensive protected area wildlife management program in Cambodia, GEI offered strategic policy advice to guide this process in a more open, participatory and environmentally sound manner.