Reports
International Symposium
Challenges for Sustainable Development in the Mekong Region under Frequent Climate Disasters
On 10 December 2025, the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) hosted an international Symposium titled “Challenges for Sustainable Development in the Mekong Region under Frequent Climate Disasters.”
This symposium examined the challenges facing the Mekong region in pursuing sustainable development from multiple perspectives and discussed the role Japan, which has built long-standing relationships with the region, can play. The symposium featured Mr. Santi Baran, Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer, Mekong River Commission (MRC) as a keynote speaker for the “Climate disasters and sustainable development: recent trends and the role of MRC”. Through the panel sessions, we discussed on two topics. (1) Challenges we are facing in the Mekong region and (2) Japan’s role and opportunities.
On this page, you can access videos of the keynote addresses and panel discussions delivered at the symposium.
Synopsis of the Symposium
Date and time: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 13:00-17:45
Venue: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Headquarters, 5F JETRO HALL
Organizers: Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO)
| Program |
|---|
Opening Remarks
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Keynote Speech “Climate disasters and sustainable development: recent trends and the role of MRC”
|
Comment
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| Panel Session |
Framing the discussion
|
Panel (1) Challenges we are facing in the Mekong region
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Panel (2) Japan’s role and opportunities
|
General discussion
|
Opening Remarks
Shinya Imaizumi, Executive Vice President, IDE-JETRO
Keynote Speech “Climate disasters and sustainable development: recent trends and the role of MRC”
Mr. Santi Baran（Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer, Mekong River Commission (MRC)）
Comment
Dr. Kenji Nagata（Senior Advisor on Water Resources, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA))
Framing the discussion
Kenji Otsuka, Director-General, Inter-disciplinary Studies Center, IDE-JETRO
Panel (1) Challenges we are facing in the Mekong region
Panelists
- Mr. Santi Baran (MRC)
- Dr. Thanikun Chantra (Dean, School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU))
- Dr. Kimlong Chheng (President, Asian Vision Institute (AVI))
- Dr. Zhifei Li (Research Fellow, National Institute of International Strategy,
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)) (* absence)
Moderators
- Naomi Hatsukano, Research Fellow, Global Studies Group, Inter-disciplinary Studies Center, IDE-JETRO
- Kenji Otsuka
Panel (2) Japan’s role and opportunities
Panelists
- Dr. Takahiro Otsuka (Senior Deputy Director of Water Resources Team 2, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA))
- Maki Aoki-Okabe (Director, Current Affairs Studies Group, Area Studies Center, IDE-JETRO)
- Dr. Yosuke Arino (Senior Research Manager, Strategy Management Office,
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES))
Moderators
- Kenji Otsuka
- Naomi Hatsukano
General Discussion
Panelists
- All Speakers
Moderators
- Kenji Otsuka, Naomi Hatsukano
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Contact
Outreach Event Division, Research Administration Department, IDE-JETRO
E-mail：sympo-sc 