USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards Program Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2023

The program focuses on the energy, transport, and water sectors, aiming to operationalize the vision of sustainable infrastructure development outlined in national green-growth strategies and regional platforms. Major donors and lenders are increasing infrastructure investments in the region, with the Asian Development Bank estimating that Southeast Asian countries need USD 210 billion in infrastructure investments annually through 2030. However, E&S regulations and mitigation efforts are not keeping pace, resulting in damage to the Mekong ecosystem and negative impacts on fisheries, forestry, farming, air quality, water quality, and flood regulation. The program promotes profitable economic growth supported by sustainable infrastructure that causes less harm to the environment, biodiversity, and people. The program's objectives include promoting sustainable infrastructure development, improving the application of E&S standards, policies, and practices, and promoting integrated approaches to develop sustainable infrastructure-development plans with government, corporate, and community stakeholders. The program's geographic coverage includes the Mekong subregion countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as China. The program is implemented by The Asia Foundation, with sub-awardees including The Henry L. Stimson Center, Global Environmental Institute (GEI), China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), and Beijing Rongzhi Corporate Social Responsibility Institute (Rongzhi). The program's reporting period is from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The program's activities are focused on promoting regional dialogue and knowledge exchange, enhancing sustainable infrastructure development and planning, accelerating ESG policies in the Mekong subregion, strengthening ESG standards and practices for the private sector, and cross-cutting activities. The program's monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities are also ongoing, with a focus on performance management plan updates and indicator reporting. The program's financial management is also a key aspect, with a summary financial management report provided in the annual report. The report highlights the program's financial performance, including income and expenses, and provides an overview of the program's financial management practices. Overall, the USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards Program is a critical initiative that aims to promote sustainable infrastructure development and improve the application of E&S standards in the Mekong subregion. The program's activities and outcomes are closely monitored and evaluated to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives and making a positive impact in the region. The program's geographic focus is on the Mekong subregion countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as China. The program's timeframes are from August 22, 2018, to August 21, 2024, with a reporting period from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The program's recommendations include continuing to promote sustainable infrastructure development and improving the application of E&S standards in the Mekong subregion. The program also recommends strengthening ESG standards and practices for the private sector and promoting integrated approaches to develop sustainable infrastructure-development plans with government, corporate, and community stakeholders.