Mekong Policy Project

Reducing Risks in the Mekong Basin

Addressing the regional environmental and social impacts along the Mekong River to improve food security, stability and cross-country relations.

In Southeast Asia Research

As a biodiversity hotspot that is home to more than 60 million people, the Lower Mekong River Basin plays a vital role as the region’s “rice bowl,” the world’s largest freshwater fishery and provider of livelihoods. Stimson’s Mekong Policy Project interacts with a wide range of local and international NGOs, government departments, and academic institutions in addressing environmental, political, and economic challenges in the region.

We lead the discourse on transboundary effects of hydropower dams along the Mekong River, the basin’s significant impacts on regional relations, and the future of water and energy collaboration among a crowded field of regional development frameworks.

Feature
While China received uncommonly high levels of rain, its dams on the Mekong River held back more water than ever - while downstream countries suffered through drought.
Brian Eyler • Regan Kwan • Courtney Weatherby

Monitoring the Mekong

Maps, Imagery, & Analysis of Impacts on the River

Infographic
More than 100 reservoirs now hold water in China’s portion of the Upper Mekong and impact the Mekong’s natural hydrological cycle.
Brian Eyler • Regan Kwan • Courtney Weatherby
Infographic
Mainstream Mekong dams have been proven time after time to devastate the river’s fisheries and agricultural processes along its floodplain.
Brian Eyler • Courtney Weatherby
Infographic
More than 200 large dams planned, completed, or under construction in the lower Mekong Basin will deliver severe fragmentation to the river’s ecosystem and devastate downstream fisheries and agricultural practices.
Brian Eyler

Latest

Resource
An animated visualization of the Mekong Floodpulse and Tonle Sap Expansion
Brian Eyler • Regan Kwan
Report
The renewable energy transition and other market trends in Thailand open the door to more sustainable electricity trade with Laos
Courtney Weatherby • Apisom Intralawan • Siripha Junlakarn...
Report
Mekong countries must balance rising electricity demand with the clean energy technology transition, environmental impacts of hydropower, and shocks from COVID-19 and drought
Courtney Weatherby
Project Note
The Mekong faces a range of ecological threats from upstream dams, climate change, and poor local planning. Can the mighty river’s resources be saved?
Brian Eyler
Op-Ed
China inevitably has become a major focus of concern about extreme drought in the lower half of the river
Richard Cronin
Op-Ed
The Mekong's natural flow and the heartbeat of the Tonle Sap are being undermined by wet season water restrictions from dams in China and in downstream Mekong countries.
Brian Eyler • Courtney Weatherby
Infographic
More than 100 reservoirs now hold water in China’s portion of the Upper Mekong and impact the Mekong’s natural hydrological cycle.
Brian Eyler • Regan Kwan • Courtney Weatherby
Infographic
Mainstream Mekong dams have been proven time after time to devastate the river’s fisheries and agricultural processes along its floodplain.
Brian Eyler • Courtney Weatherby

News & Commentary

Op-Ed
China inevitably has become a major focus of concern about extreme drought in the lower half of the river
Richard Cronin
Op-Ed
The Mekong's natural flow and the heartbeat of the Tonle Sap are being undermined by wet season water restrictions from dams in China and in downstream Mekong countries.
Brian Eyler • Courtney Weatherby
Commentary
Stimson scholars consider China's dams on the Mekong, evidence of their impact downstream, policy motivations, and more
Brian Eyler • Yun Sun
Op-Ed
Drought coupled with the coronavirus pandemic spells danger for food security.
John Lichtefeld • Courtney Weatherby
Op-Ed
New data demonstrates a devastating effect on downstream water supplies that feed millions of people.
Brian Eyler
Commentary
Despite a quick response during their initial outbreak, Vietnam could not avoid a second outbreak and the need to take more aggressive measures.
John Lichtefeld
Commentary
ASEAN countries start taking measures to mitigate an outbreak as cases begin to surge, despite an initial delay
Courtney Weatherby

Events

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