Environmental Management Measures and Current Practices in Solid Waste Management: A Case Study From Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
Researching for the GMS
The pursuitof joint research activities is in line with the mission of GMSARN.
Research proposals arising from the GMS Environmental Forum for Sustainable Development, organized by GMSARN and the ASEAN Foundation on 22-23 November 2001 at AIT
Following the GMS Environmental Forum, GMSARN is currently developing proposals for research projects that deal with the four issues taken up at the Forum.
The four issues and the proposed projects are as follows:
Issue 1: Exploitation of natural resources and development of infrastructure result in undesirable impact on the environment, including loss of biodiversity
Proposed research project: Conservation and Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity in the Mekong Region Basin: Gene Banking of Endangered P\and Threatened Species
Issue 2: Urbanization and transboundary trade have impact on the environment and society
Proposed research project: Secondary Cities and Regional Development through Border Trade
Proposed research project: Emerging Urban System and Border Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion: A Study of Functions, Linkage and Impact
Issue 3: Market-based resource use to promote industrial growth and environmental management is impeded by the lack of trained personnel, inadequate technology transfer and insufficient investment
Proposed research project: Establishment of a Cleaner Technology Clearing House for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Proposed research project: Identification of Professional and Institutional Needs for Applying Market-Based Environment Management Tools in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Issue 4: Developing knowledge and capacities for sustainable tourism development and marketing in GMS countries
Proposed research project: Defining Sustainable Tourism Concepts and Techniques in the GMS Countries
Note: The Environmental Workshop on GMS Capacity Building for Sustainable Development held on 3-4 April 2003 at AIT gathered researchers from GMS institutions to further develop the above-mentioned concept proposals, with the exception of the proposal entitled, " Defining Sustainable Tourism Concepts and Techniques in the GMS".