Bangkok Mission Awarded Global Green-Building Rating
The Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) is the first overseas USAID facility to win a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its commercial interior. The facility’s lighting and air handling systems keep energy consumption to a minimum. Carpeting and furnishings throughout the offices are made with recycled materials and local resources were used to help minimize the carbon footprint associated with importing such goods.

400,000 Attend USAID-Sponsored Anti-Trafficking Concerts
MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) concerts in Vietnam and Indonesia have attracted 400,000 people this year. The events are sponsored by USAID to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking. Some 80,000 attended the Jakarta concert earlier this month where Indonesia’s top musicians incorporated anti-trafficking messages into their songs. The Jakarta concert concluded a five-city Indonesian tour that attracted 150,000 people. The Vietnam tour attracted 250,000 in four cities. The concerts are part of a regional anti-trafficking campaign that is on air, online (www.mtvexit.org) and on the ground.

Hanoi Airport Staff Trained to Intercept Trafficked Wildlife
Seventy airport personnel ­– including check-in counter attendants, baggage handlers, customs officers, immigration staff and security officials – took the two-day ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) course to detect and stop wildlife trafficking.  Hanoi Environmental Police, INTERPOL and the CITES Management and Scientific Authorities of Vietnam also participated.  A significant portion of the illegal trade in wild plants and animals passes through airports undetected.  Similar courses, also funded by USAID, have been held throughout the region to raise vigilance and professionalism.

USA Pavilion at World Expo Adopts Climate Change Strategy
The environmental sustainability plan, supported by USAID’s U.S. China Sustainable Buildings Partnership will minimize the pavilion’s impact on climate change.  The strategy includes provisions for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions associated with the center’s six-month operation.  The Partnership is providing technical support, outreach, and information dissemination.

USAID Promotes National Energy Rating System for China
Provincial and municipal officials attended a US-China Sustainable Buildings Partnership (SBP) workshop reviewing lessons learned from the U.S. energy performance rating system. The USAID-supported SBP will begin working with these officials to develop a prototype to support policies and programs that will reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in China.

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