20 February 2012: The Asian Development Bank (ADB), together with Mekong countries, hosted the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) 2020: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability International Conference, which addressed several themes relating to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The Conference convened from 20-21 February 2012, in Bangkok, Thailand, and brought together policy makers from Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, among other regional stakeholders. The meeting featured sessions on: food, water and energy nexus; land, water and climate change; and the challenges facing the GMS in the next decade.

ADB underscored the importance of green growth for the management of food, water and energy resources in the GMS, calling for a balance of economic and environmental interests. ADB Vice-President Stephen Groff called for a “pro-poor, pro-environment roadmap to 2020.” He stressed the need for investments in smart development, highlighting innovations, such as fuel-efficient freight fleets, clean energy sources, less water-intensive crops, improved biotechnology for decreased use of chemical fertilizers, and greater levels of rain harvesting and recycling in urban centers. [ADB Press Release] [GMS 2020 Conference Website]