SUMERNET Learning Forum 2024: From Knowledge to Actions: Building a Water-Secure Mekong

A collaborative effort has been undertaken throughout the implementation period of SUMERNET 4 All to address water insecurity within the Mekong. By leveraging research, policy engagement, and delivering capacity-building activities, the programme aims to bridge the scientific knowledge and policy to enable informed policy decisions on water resource management in the region. Therefore, the SUMERNET Learning Forum 2024 will take a central theme of “From Knowledge to Actions: Building a Water-Secure Mekong”.

This forum serves as a platform for the following:

• Dissemination of Key Research Findings: The forum will present key findings gleaned from SUMERNET 4 All's research endeavours, with a specific focus on water access, flood risk management, and transboundary water systems. These findings will be forthcoming upon the program's conclusion in December 2024.
• Enhancing Dialogue: A space will be provided for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the Mekong Region to engage in constructive dialogue in anticipation of the program's conclusions.
• Exploring Innovative Policy and Practice Solutions: The forum will foster the exploration of innovative pathways designed to ensure water security for all while prioritising gender equality and social equity.
• Forging Lasting Partnerships: A key objective of the forum is to cultivate strong partnerships and explore concrete collaborations among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across the Mekong Region. This collaborative spirit will be vital in ensuring the long-term sustainability of water security initiatives.

Key events and meetings

SUMERNET Learning Forum 2024 consists of several key events and meetings:

• SUMERNET Steering Committee Meeting, 28 May 2024
• SUMERNET Network Meeting, 28 May 2024 (afternoon)
• SUMERNET Partners Meeting, 29 May 2024 (morning)
• MTT Alliance Meeting, 29 May 2024 (afternoon)
• SUMERNET Young Professional (SYP) Talk, Awarding Ceremony for MTT fellowship grants (evening), SUMERNET – MTT Networking Dinner
• SUMERNET Lancang-Mekong Research to Policy Forum, 30 May 2024
• SUMERNET-MTT Capacity Development and Networking Day, 31 May 2024

Format

The Learning Forum will as much as possible engage in-person. Some events will be open for online participation through “Hybrid mode” where majority of participants are expected to be attending in person in Bangkok (Thailand), and some participants are attending through an online meeting platform (Zoom). The online meeting will be recorded for future viewing.

SUMERNET Lancang-Mekong Research to Policy Forum (Hybrid)

This Research and Policy Forum will provide a platform for both researchers and practitioners from the Lancang–Mekong Region to exchange knowledge and experiences on various interconnected issues related to water insecurity. The aim is to assess the current state of knowledge and emerging perspectives that can inform coherent policy-making addressing water insecurity to improve the sustainability and well-being of all in the Lancang–Mekong region. The dialogue among policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to explore how regional policy priorities have taken or have not taken into consideration the criticalities emerging in the Lancang–Mekong area concerning water insecurity. The discussion aims to feature some of the effective knowledge to policy engagement strategies that positively impact water security in the Lancang–Mekong region.

In view of this, SUMERNET Research and Policy forum has identified following objectives:

1. To facilitate knowledge exchange among academics, practitioners, and policymakers in the Lancang–Mekong Region on addressing water insecurity in the region.

2. To identify policy priorities on water insecurity in the Lancang–Mekong Region.

3. To identify relevant knowledge generated from collaborative research and actions and its potential policy applications in the Lancang–Mekong Region.

4. To highlight effective policy engagement strategies for real impacts.

Date and time: 30 May 2024, 09:00 - 17:00 (Bangkok/Indochina Time)

If you wish to join the forum virtually, please register here.