The photos in the montage featured for World Environment Day 2009 were taken at pilot sites across the GMS,
allowing the viewer to catch a glimpse of everyday life for the millions of people who live in the forests of the GMS – and who,
as many of the communities are poor and vulnerable, will be dramatically affected by climate change.
This year to mark World Environment Day 2009, the following events have been organized:
In Vientiane at the National University of Lao PDR, a panel debate on National Actions to Limit the Impact of Climate Change was organized in a collaboration between
ADB Lao Resident Mission, WREA, National University of Lao PDR (NOUL) and Environment Operations Center.
ADB Country Director Gil-Hong Kim, Director of GMS Secretariat and Mme. Keobang A Keola, Director General of the GMS National Secretariat of Water Resources and Environment Administration (WREA)
and Vice President of the National University of Laos (NOUL) co-chaired the debate, participated by more than 450 participants from NOUL, including students and teachers, researchers, NGOs, line Government agencies and media.
The panel debate was conducted in English.
Opening remarks were delivered by WREA and ADB, followed by a video message from Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh encouraging Lao people to fight climate change.
Before the debate, Mr. Hasan Moinuddin, BCI Task Leader gave a presentation on climate change and Lao PDR.
Five invited representatives from ADB-LRM, EOC, IUCN, NOUL and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) sat on the panel as judges of the debate.
Students from the Faculty of Environment won the debate battle focusing on economic development.
[Photos from the panel debate]
Also in Vientiane, Lao PDR, banners in Lao as well as in English have been placed in public places, raising awareness of World Environment Day and this year's theme:
Unite against Climate Change highlighting the importance of collaboration in preparing for the global climate change negotiations in December 2009.
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, an Environment Film Fest was running at META HOUSE, Street 264, #6 - Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh.
The film festival, which started 3rd June, features two ADB-produced documentaries among other environment films:
"Saving Cambodia's Great Lake" about Tonle Sap - Showing: Friday 5th June, 7 PM
"Forests For Our Future" about forest conservation in the Greater Mekong Subregion - Showing: Sunday 7th June, PM
