Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations and serves as the main economic and social development centre for the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific. Its mandate is to foster cooperation between its 53 members and nine associate members, providing the strategic link between global and country-level programmes and issues. It supports Governments of countries in the region in consolidating regional positions and advocates regional approaches to meeting the region’s unique socioeconomic challenges in a globalizing world. The ESCAP office is located in Bangkok, Thailand. Visit the ESCAP website at www.unescap. org for further information.
Mekong Institute The Mekong Institute is an intergovernmental organization that is operated by the six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), i.e., Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam as well as Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. It provides, implements and facilitates integrated human resource development and capacity building programmes and technical assistance projects related to regional cooperation and integration issues in the GMS. The Mekong Institute works with and through various national and local authorities, development partners, civil society organizations and academia to deliver and implement standardized and customized learning programmes, workshops, seminars, policy consultation and research and development projects. Its programmes and activities focus on three thematic areas: (a) rural development and livelihoods; (b) trade and investment facilitation; and (c) human migration and care. The Mekong Institute is headquartered in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Visit its website at www.mekonginstitute.org for further information.
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Front cover photo credits: Gordon Israel
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