Seminars & Events
International Symposium
Challenges for Sustainable Development in the Mekong Region under Frequent Climate Disasters
The Mekong River is an international waterway flowing from China through five Southeast Asian countries. In recent years, economic development projects such as dam construction and transportation network improvements have significantly altered the environment throughout its basin. In recent years, climate disasters such as droughts and floods have become frequent, adding to longstanding issues surrounding transboundary basin management and causing severe impacts on the region's socio-economy. Amidst this situation, complex intertwined interests among upstream and downstream countries, governments, businesses, and residents, coupled with uncertainties in international relations, have made cross-border dialogue and coordination in the Mekong region increasingly complex.
This symposium will examine the challenges facing the Mekong region in pursuing sustainable development from multiple perspectives and discuss the role Japan, which has built long-standing relationships with the region, can play. Through this symposium, we aim to disseminate the latest information on the Mekong region to a broad audience, including businesses and policy makers, while providing a forum for discussion on strengthening ties with the region.
We look forward to your participation.
Date & Time
Wednesday, 10 December 2025 (JST) 13:00-17:45 (Door opens at 12:30)
Venue
(In-person)
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Headquarters, 5F JETRO HALL
(Ark Mori Building, 5F, 12-32, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
(Online)
Zoom Webinar
* Please make sure that the latest zoom app is installed on your PC or mobile device.
Program
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 13:00-13:10 |
Opening Remarks Shinya Imaizumi, Executive Vice President, IDE-JETRO |
| Part I – Keynote Speech | |
| 13:10-14:00 |
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) |
| 14:00-14:10 |
Comment Dr. Kenji Nagata, Senior Advisor on Water Resources, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) |
| 14:10-14:20 | Coffee break |
| Part II - Panel discussions | |
| 14:20-14:25 |
Framing the discussion Kenji Otsuka, Director-General, Inter-disciplinary Studies Center, IDE-JETRO |
| 14:25-15:25 |
Panel (1) Challenges we are facing in the Mekong region
Moderators
|
| 15:25-16:25 |
Panel (2) Japan’s role and opportunities
Moderators: |
| 16:25-16:40 | Coffee break |
| 16:40-17:45 |
General discussion Panelists: All speakers Moderators: |
| 17:45-18:15 | Networking |
※The program is subject to change.
Languages
Japanese and English（Simultaneous interpretation will be available.）
Capacity
（In-person）100 people
（Online）Registration will be closed once capacity is reached
Organizer
Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO)
Registration
Please register through the following link.
(In-person)
Registration deadline: Monday, 8 December 2025, 13:00 (JST)
https://www.jetro.go.jp/form5/pub/roc/20251210form-venue
(Online)
Registration deadline: Monday, 8 December 2025, 13:00 (JST)
https://www.jetro.go.jp/form5/pub/roc/20251210form-web
*Registration will be closed once capacity is reached.
Participation Fee
Free
Contact:
Outreach Event Division, Research Administration Department, IDE-JETRO
E-mail：sympo-sc 