USAID Mekong Safeguards Activity Quarterly Report — Quarter 1, October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020

The program focuses on power generation and transportation infrastructure development in the lower Mekong countries, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Activity aims to operationalize the vision of sustainable infrastructure development that lower Mekong countries have put forward in their respective national green-growth strategies and regional platforms. This vision has been publicly championed by major infrastructure financiers such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and several bilateral donors, including Australia, Japan, and the United States. The program is expected to support the development of over 280 gigawatts of power generation capacity, largely through new hydropower dams and coal-fired power plants. Additionally, rail infrastructure is projected to increase by at least 20 percent, and high-speed rail capacity will increase over 50 percent. However, environmental regulations and mitigation efforts are not keeping pace, and the sheer numbers and cumulative effects of projects are damaging the Mekong ecosystem. The Activity will provide information and tools to support the consistent application of environmental, social, and governance standards. This will include the development of guidelines, training programs, and technical assistance to support the implementation of these standards. The program will also engage with stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to promote the adoption of sustainable infrastructure development practices. Implementation of the Activity is underway, with the Prime Implementing Partner, The Asia Foundation, working in collaboration with subawardees, including The Henry L. Stimson Center, Global Environmental Institute (GEI), China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), and Beijing Rongzhi Corporate Social Responsibility Institute (Rongzhi). The Activity is being implemented in China and the lower Mekong countries, with a focus on the development of power generation and transportation infrastructure. The Activity has made significant progress in the first quarter of 2020-2021, with the development of guidelines and training programs to support the implementation of environmental, social, and governance standards. The program has also engaged with stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to promote the adoption of sustainable infrastructure development practices. The Activity will continue to work towards its objectives, including the development of guidelines, training programs, and technical assistance to support the implementation of environmental, social, and governance standards. The program will also continue to engage with stakeholders to promote the adoption of sustainable infrastructure development practices. The Activity's progress will be monitored and evaluated through the use of indicators, including the number of guidelines and training programs developed, the number of stakeholders engaged, and the level of adoption of sustainable infrastructure development practices. The program will also conduct regular reviews and assessments to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and making progress towards its goals. The Activity's success will depend on the effective implementation of its objectives, including the development of guidelines, training programs, and technical assistance to support the implementation of environmental, social, and governance standards. The program will also need to continue to engage with stakeholders to promote the adoption of sustainable infrastructure development practices. The Activity's geographic coverage includes China and the lower Mekong countries, with a focus on the development of power generation and transportation infrastructure. The program's reporting period is from August 22, 2018, to August 21, 2023.