Bangkok, Thailand, 24 April 2024: The UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) hosted a side event titled “Digital Innovations for Enhancing Sustainable Local Livelihoods in the Mekong Subregion based on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach”, on the sidelines of the eightieth session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The event, co-organized with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Thailand, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (ESCAP/APCTT), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss and showcase innovative digital solutions within the WEF Nexus framework.
The event aimed to share innovative digital solutions for better management of water, energy, and food, discuss the role of digital innovations in the WEF Nexus in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices, highlighting the value of South-South and triangular cooperation.
Mr. Hahm Jeong-han, ROK Permanent Representative to ESCAP, and Dr. Steve Olive, Mission Director for USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) highlighted the importance of (complete this sentence).
Mr. Hahm Jeong-han, ROK Permanent Representative to ESCAP, delivering his remarks
Key presentations covered:
- Multilateral Stakeholder Engagement: Discussing the critical role of stakeholder engagement in translating digital solutions into practical applications for Mekong communities.
- Innovative ROK Solutions: Showcasing examples of digital innovations being introduced in Lao PDR and Thailand under P-LINK national pilots.
- Public-Private Partnership Best Practices: Presenting successful collaborations under the WE4F initiative.
Presentations about WEF initiatives in the Mekong region
A panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Hwanil Park, Chief Director at STEPI, explored the transformative impact of digital innovations on sustainable development, sharing success stories and strategies to overcome obstacles. Panelists provided recommendations for the successful implementation of P-LINK based on their experiences with similar projects.
The side event facilitated networking among stakeholders and increased awareness of digital innovations’ role in promoting sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods. Participants exchanged valuable insights, underscoring the significance of strategic partnerships and collaboration in the WEF Nexus approach. This event contributed to the broader efforts of the P-LINK Project to enhance sustainable, resilient, and inclusive livelihoods in the Mekong Subregion through fostering knowledge sharing and multi-sectoral cooperation.
About P-LINK
A regional collaboration between UNOSSC, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and the Mekong River Commission (MRC), entitled, “Triangular Cooperation on Sustainable Development in the Lower Mekong Basin based on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus”. Also known as the “RoK-UNOSSC Facility Phase 3” and P-LINK, the project aims to improve access to water, food and energy for vulnerable communities in the Lower Mekong Basin (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam) by applying demand-driven innovative solutions and integrated approaches based on South-South and triangular cooperation (SS & TrC) modalities. In addition to knowledge generation, advisory services, and multi-sectoral platform among the four countries, the project is carrying out national technology pilots in each country. More information available P-LINK.