Water Data Utilization and Capacity Building in the Mekong Region

ASEAN has strengthened efforts to resolve the development gap through the & #39;Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) work plan. In addition, a new direction of international cooperation has been proposed with the adoption of the United Nations & #39; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 and the signing of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.

The Mekong region has achieved an economic growth rate close to of 7% annually, and continues to drive the high growth of ASEAN. However, due to climate change and rapid urbanization, the frequency and intensity of water-related disasters such as droughts and floods are increasing every year. In addition, water disputes between upstream and downstream countries have hampered the sustainable development of the Mekong region. To this end, South Korea and the United States are monitoring real-time water resource changes and are conducting the capacity building on water data utilization in the Mekong basin through the joint statement (June, 2017) of Water Management and Information Strengthening in the Mekong (June, 2017) from Friends of the Lower Mekong (FLM), and maximizing the synergy effect of South Koreas . Furthermore, we would like to contribute to enhancing safety from disasters through systematic water resources  management by combining K-water & #39;s water management capabilities in South Korea with NASA and USACE satellite utilization and water resources analysis capabilities. Read more...