WaterLinks Program to Deliver Water to Indian Town

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Experts from Ranhill Utilities of Malaysia are working with Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) of India to deliver continuous water to all 160,000 residents of Badlapur in Maharashtra State of India.  Some 64,000 were linked in June through the USAID-funded WaterLinks program.

USAID Targets Access to Legal Information in China

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Vermont Law School held workshops to improve Chinese universities’ dissemination of environmental law information and educational tools to law students and legal professionals.  Librarians and faculty from China University of Political Science (Beijing), Tsinghua University Law School (Beijing), Huadong University of Political Science and Law (Shanghai), Sun Yat-sen Law School (Guangzhou), and South China University of Technology Law School (Guangzhou) participated in sessions organized through USAID's Partnership for Environmental Law in China.

Lao Customs Officials Learn to Identify Trade-Based Money Laundering Schemes

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Nearly two dozen Lao customs officers learned how criminals smuggle cash and launder money at a workshop in Vientiane jointly sponsored by USAID, State, Treasury and ASEAN.  Trade-based money laundering is increasing in developing countries like Laos as their economies grow.

Vet Program Launched to Prevent Animal-Human Disease Outbreaks

Monday, June 15, 2009

Responding to the spread of infectious diseases from animals to humans, the United States and Royal Thai Governments, have launched Asia’s first training program for veterinarians to become “disease detectives,” specialists who trace and control animal diseases that could spread to human beings.  The two-year Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (FETPV), launched in Bangkok in collaboration by USAID, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has six veterinarians from Burma, China, Indonesia and Thailand enrolled in the course.  Heath officials note the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Nipah, and Avian Influenza H5N1 had their origins in animals.  The four most recent pandemics ­– in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009 – were viruses with genes derived from animals.

USAID Sends Relief to Bangladesh in the Aftermath of Cyclone Aila

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

USAID’s Regional Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is providing $100,000 for emergency assistance to people affected by Tropical Cyclone Aila, which struck Bangladesh on May 25 affecting more than 3 million inhabitants.

School Administrators Trained to Support Tibetan Language Programs

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Administrators from 28 schools in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture received training from Sichuan Normal University’s Institute of Teaching Science to support Tibetan language programs and improve their effectiveness. The USAID-funded project teaches management techniques that provide institutional support to language teachers.

USAID Supports Asia Forest Partnership Meeting to Combat Illegal Logging

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Over 300 representatives from more than 50 countries met in Bali at the Eighth Asia Forest Partnership Meeting to fight illegal logging and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation.  Proposals from the meeting will contribute to emerging international frameworks on forests and climate change.

Los Angeles Helps Shenzhen Improve Water Quality Monitoring

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power worked with Shenzhen, China, to draft a plan to strengthen the southern Chinese city’s customer outreach and water-quality monitoring feedback system.  The USAID-supported WaterLinks program arranged the meeting to help fast-growing Shenzhen use customer feedback to improve operations and detect lapses in water quality.

USAID-Supported Program Works to Expand Bird Flu Surveillance in China

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Forty-seven participants from both public and private poultry sectors attended a workshop in order to learn risk analysis and map poultry supply chains in Guangxi province.  Information gained from the exercise will be used to direct and support further avian influenza surveillance and control activities in the province that shares a busy border with Vietnam.

Cambodian Authorities Seize Endangered Species During Training

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Cambodia’s Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT) planned and executed a raid on a Phnom Penh restaurant, seizing protected wildlife including cobras, turtles and pangolins, or scaly anteaters.  The successful operation was conducted during on-the-job training as part of the USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network Support Program.

USAID Teaches Indonesian Clean-Energy Project Developers to Raise Funding

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Eighteen Indonesian clean-energy entrepreneurs attended a workshop to develop skills and connections that will help them access financing for their projects.  USAID energy and finance experts provided mentoring in development of a business plan, investment pitch and business growth strategy.  Participants will develop business plans as part of a competition whose winners will be showcased during the Indonesian Clean Energy Investor Forum in June.

Vietnamese Officials Train to Streamline International Trade

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

More than 60 Vietnamese government officials participated in a USAID-sponsored workshop that will help the country implement a National Single Window—a clearance system that enables a single submission of customs data and a single point of decision-making among the parties involved in customs clearance. USAID partnered with the Association for Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Single Window initiative and the General Department of Vietnam Customs to present the workshop.

Earth Day Comes to Tibet

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The herding people of the Ganzi Prefecture region of China’s Sichuan Province are learning to think of themselves as long term stewards of their own natural resources.  As part of a USAID-funded project, over 400 students from Tagong village and several villagers from Xiede planted trees that will provide erosion control and eventually, habitat for wildlife and native plants.

U.S. and Chinese Officials Explore Ways to Combat Air Pollution

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Visiting experts form the California Air Resources Board met with power plant operators and the local environmental protection bureau in Anhui province to discuss ways to lower emissions from coal-fired power plants.  The training program was organized by USAID's ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program (CDCP) and was attended by over 50 participants from the Huainan region, a provincial center for coal mining and power generation.

Thai and Washington-State Officials Cooperate to Improved Wastewater Management

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Three senior managers from the Wastewater Management Authority of Thailand (WMA) visited counterparts in King County, Washington State, to learn best practices in water treatment facility management through hands-on training.  Based on the success of USAID-facilitated twinning, both parties discussed a plan to leverage their own resources to transform their relationship into a long-term partnership.

Workshop Builds Commitment for ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Representatives from 21 countries adopted a “Manifesto on Combating Wildlife Crime in Asia” that includes pledges to: 1) increase support for the USAID and DOS-supported ASEAN-WEN; 2) develop a South Asia WEN; and 3) engage consumer partner countries, including China, more effectively.  The manifesto was also ratified by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations at a USAID-supported workshop in Thailand.

Chinese and American Law Scholars’ Article in Harvard Environmental Law Review

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Law scholars Timothy Riley and Cai Huiyan’s article on using China’s information disclosure laws to enhance public participation in corporate environmental decision making was published in the Harvard Environmental Law Review.  Chinese law students and faculty are exchanging ideas and expertise with U.S. counterparts as part of the USAID-supported Vermont Law School-Sun Yat-sen University Partnership for Environmental Law in China.

Young People Study Tibetan Arts to Earn Income and Preserve Tradition

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The USAID-funded Sustaining Tibetan Communities project is training 20 young people in the eastern Minyak region to create and paint traditional Tibetan clay statues and architectural features.  After completing the course, their services will be available for hire, providing a source of income for the trainees as well as continuing a centuries-old tradition celebrating Tibetan beliefs.

Sustainable Timber Project in Indonesia Earns Certification

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

USAID’s Responsible Asia Forestry Trade (RAFT) program obtained certificates of Verified Legal Origin (VLO) from the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program for two forests and a factory in Indonesia.  The project assures that the products promote legal and sustainable forest management and demonstrates the feasibility of expanded trade in sustainable forest products between Indonesia and the U.S.

Tibetan Cooperative Teaches Traditional Crafts and Up-to-Date Business Techniques

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

The Xiamalong Village Artisans Cooperative arranged for 25 students to be trained in rug-making and leather craft, as well as business and marketing techniques, after identifying traditional products in need of manufacturing and marketing support.  This USAID-supported training is expected to help the association become self-sustaining.

USAID Report and Website Spread the Word on Quality CFLs

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

USAID issued a report highlighting challenges and outlining the way forward for the manufacture of high-quality, energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). At the same time, the USAID-supported Asia CFL Quality Charter launched a website detailing its activities and providing links to assist in reaching the Charter’s goal to develop an industry-driven system for qualifying and marking high-quality CFLs.

Pakistan and Ho Chi Minh City Join AECEN

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

The Pakistan Ministry of Environment and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment joined the USAID-supported Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN).  AECEN promotes improved compliance with environmental legal requirements in Asia through regional exchange of innovative policies and practices.

China University Offers New Class in Trial Advocacy

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The China University of Political Science and Law, in partnership with USAID and the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, started a new class in trial advocacy for 48 graduate students. As part of the course, students will participate in moot trials to put their learning into practice.

Animal Planet Raises Awareness of Wildlife Trafficking

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) has collaborated with the Animal Planet network to update its popular “Crime Scene Wild” anti-animal-trafficking series that was launched in 2007.  The updated version will air in April on the Discovery Channel in the UK and afterwards in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

USAID Facilitates Thai-Australian Judicial Partnership on the Environment

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Eight justices of the Supreme Court of Thailand visited the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales to launch a partnership between the courts and share regional expertise on environmental cases.  The partnership, facilitated by USAID’s Environmental Cooperation-Asia (ECO-Asia), will help strengthen judicial skills and identify strategies to establish an environmental court in Thailand.

Farmers' Workshop Aims to Prevent Avian Influenza in Thailand

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

USAID and its partners presented a workshop to farmers in Pitsanulok province, Thailand, sharing information on safe poultry-raising practices as well as the prevention and control of avian influenza.  The workshop, under USAID’s Global Development Alliance program, also promoted the use of a bird flu cell phone service that allows farmers to report suspected cases as well as receive public service messages.

ASEAN Trade Program Holds Workshop in Jakarta to Reduce Red Tape

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The USAID-funded ASEAN Single Window program sponsored a data harmonization workshop to simplify customs processes in Southeast Asia.  The Single Window program aims to reduce the cost of international trade by enabling the speedy, centralized submission, processing and clearance of shipping data.

Malaysian Water Utilities Help India and Indonesia to Improve Water Services

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

As part of the USAID-supported WaterLinks program, experts from Ranhill Utilities Berhad of Malaysia trained colleagues in Surabay, Indonesia, and Maharashtra State, India, on water pressure improvement and leak detection.  Indah Water Konsortium of Malaysia trained counterparts from Medan, Indonesia, on improved access to its sewer network and increasing consumer demand through a campaign to promote sanitation practices.

Guangdong Environmental Partnership Launches Activities in China

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Guangdong Environmental Partnership launched new activities including a workshop for three pilot communities to promote energy efficiency and emissions reductions and the first session of the Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Academy that will provide professional training to EHS factory managers in Guangdong province.  In a separate meeting, the U.S. EPA agreed to collaborate with USAID to strengthen the center that oversees environmental policy and regulation in six southern Chinese provinces including Guangdong.

Avian Influenza Program in China Trains for Better Virus Detection

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

USAID funding, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) trained Chinese provincial officials in avian influenza surveillance in the high-risk, southern provinces of Hunan, Guangxi and Yunnan.  Training included both theoretical and practical techniques to better detect the virus.

Collaborating with Asian Countries to Combat AIDS

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

As part of an effort to address the significant upward trend in HIV among men having sex with men in cities across the Asia-Pacific, members of USAID’s health team collaborated with governments and other stakeholders to formulate a coordinated research agenda at the Johns Hopkins Fogarty AITRP Regional Meeting in Chiang Mai.  USAID, PEPFAR and UNAIDS also hosted the Second Global HIV Surveillance Meeting in Bangkok where 300 delegates discussed advances in HIV surveillance.

Fighting Dengue in Asia

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Outbreaks of dengue fever have risen dramatically in the Asia-Pacific region, killing three times more victims in 2008 than in recent years.  WHO reports 3,255 people died of the disease last year in Southeast Asia.  Cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever – in which uncontrollable bleeding occurs ­– have increased by more than 70 per cent since 2003. The World Health Organization (WHO), with support from USAID's Regional Development Mission for Asia, has developed an Asia-Pacific Dengue Strategic Plan to control the virus.  Countries are now using this strategy to overcome a lack of political commitment, poor coordination and inadequate resources to improve dengue control.

USAID Creates Model to Address AIDS in China

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

USAID recently completed a survey of its HIV/AIDS program in China including its targeting and coverage of most-at-risk-populations in geographic HIV hotspots, the cost of services, and the potential for replication.  A set of recommendations that can be used by the Chinese government, the USG, and other donors for potential scale-up of the model will be completed in April.

Supporting Environmental Cooperation in the Mekong River Basin

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, members of the USAID-supported Mekong River Commission (MRC), agreed to develop and test a collaborative decision-making process to protect the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin and promote eco-tourism.  If successful, the process will be applied to other Mekong River Basin transboundary issues.  USAID works through the MRC to promote cooperative use of the region’s resources.

Testing Bamboo Cultivation to Help the Rural Poor

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

USAID is helping to establish a 100-acre bamboo plantation in Vietnam’s Lam Dong Province to improve livelihoods and biodiversity management.  If the project is successful, the project may be expanded to 49,500 acres.  The USAID-funded Asia Regional Biodiversity Conservation Program (ARBCP) is working with local furniture maker Grass and Company to develop bamboo cultivation and raise the incomes of rural households.

"Wildlife Trafficking Stops Here" Campaign Launched

Thursday, March 12, 2009

USAID is supporting the training of 250 airport staff, government agents and freight forwarders to prevent wildlife trafficking at Bangkok’s international airport, a key transshipment point for endangered species.  The “Wildlife Trafficking Stops Here” campaign is the first large-scale anti-poaching education program ever held at a major airport.  Anti-trafficking messages are also being projected on TV monitors above every check-in counter and placards are being posted throughout the arrivals hall.  USAID supports the effort through its funding and technical assistance to the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network which is organizing the training. 

Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing Draws Investors

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Opportunities to finance clean energy projects drew more than 120 industry experts and investors to the Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing.  The USAID co-sponsored conference showcased viable business models and proposals from Southeast Asia, such as ways to convert waste into clean energy and improving techniques to purify water fouled with sewage.

Asian Lighting Manufacturers Agree on Quality Mark

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) manufacturers meeting in Shanghai formed a trade association, the Asia Lighting Council, and agreed upon a symbol that will identify reliable, energy-saving bulbs.  USAID’s ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program is supporting the development of quality standards to ensure better products and reduce greenhouse gasses.

U.S. and Chinese Institutions Collaborate on Environmental Law

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Vermont Law School (VLS) and the Training Center of China’s Natural Development and Reform Commission will teach environmental law to Chinese government officials and employees of state-owned corporations.  They will also develop a Master of Laws degree program for the staff of government agencies, business and non-profit social organizations.  USAID supports VLS’ collaboration with Chinese institutions to improve environmental and energy law and policy in China.

Thai Environmental Dispute Center a Model in Region

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Thailand’s highly successful Environmental Dispute Prevention and Resolution Center, created with USAID support, shared its techniques for dispute resolution at an Asian Development Bank workshop.  The center’s success is considered a model for other countries in the region.  The seminar was held in conjunction with the USAID-funded Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network, which helps agencies share expertise and strengthen environmental governance in Asia.

Wildlife Seizure Highlights Interagency Cooperation

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Thai Customs officers are collaborating with the USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) to stop wildlife trafficking.  After confiscating 200 pangolins (scaly anteaters) smuggled to Bangkok from southern Thailand, customs officials worked with ASEAN-WEN to quickly pass information obtained from suspects to Thai Police. Thailand’s Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation took responsibility for the pangolins following the bust.

ASEAN Members Cooperate to Streamline Customs

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Laos and Brunei Darussalam plan to adopt the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) Certificate of Origin, which will help link their customs operations with other countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.  USAID is spearheading the program, meant to streamline the region’s customs process by enabling the speedy, centralized submission, processing and clearance of shipping data.  Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand also plan to draw on the ASW program to harmonize their customs operations with other ASEAN members.

USAID Helps Fight Counterfeit Medicines Across Asia

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

USAID is working to fight counterfeit anti-malarial medicines in Southeast Asia through public service announcements in Khmer, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese.  In addition to the USAID-funded PSAs, entitled “Pharmacide,” there is a website with different versions of the PSA in English.  Poor quality medicines are less effective and encourage the development of drug-resistant strains of malaria and other diseases.

Improving Power Stations to Reduce Global Warming

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

USAID’s ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program proposed renovations for five units of India’s NTPC (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation) Singrauli coal-fired power station to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that are contributing to global warming.  ECO-Asia’s plant-efficiency measures will incorporate carbon financing mechanisms into the US$400 million project and reduce CO2 emissions 12-15 percent, or about 1 million metric tons annually.  The work is supported by the U.S. Department of State under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).

Cooperating with China to Improve Public Health

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

USAID, through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, is working with Chinese authorities in Beijing in numerous areas including food safety, infectious disease detection, infection control services, and reporting systems for outbreaks of disease.  Building on the successful USAID Global Development Alliance model, the CDC is poised to encourage public-private partnerships with companies that do business in food safety, laboratory supplies, and the use of information technology to facilitate electronic data collection, transmission and processing.

Asian Countries Work Together to Enforce Environmental Laws

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DOE) has joined the USAID-supported Asia Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN), a regional organization that promotes collaborative enforcement of environmental laws.  Membership will improve environmental governance within Malaysia and enrich member-to-member collaboration within AECEN.  Member agencies are from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Tibetan Artisans Share Craft, Preserve Tradition

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

USAID is expanding programs to help Tibetan artisans bring traditional products to the global market. The Xiamalong Handicraft Cooperative, established in early 2008 with the help of USAID, is launching a new USAID-backed program that trains leather and felt artisans in market analysis and development.  The program will create job opportunities for herders in the off season and help them generate much-needed cash in the largely subsistence-based economy.  The cooperative, meanwhile, is building direct links between producers and markets, developing marketing skills, and increasing market exposure for local enterprises focusing on handicrafts and ecotourism. 

Thailand's Airports Launch Campaign to Stop Wildlife Trafficking

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Airports of Thailand (AOT) authority has joined the ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) in a campaign to prevent wildlife trafficking and prosecute traffickers. ASEAN-WEN, which is supported by USAID and the U.S. State Department, launched the public awareness campaign at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves more than 30 million passengers annually. The campaign features illuminated posters and screens throughout the airport, particularly at immigration gates and check-in booths in the departure hall.  ASEAN-WEN is also training AOT staff to identify illegal wildlife and enforce national and international wildlife trade laws.

Journalists Focus on ASEAN

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Journalists from The Jakarta Post, The Bangkok Post and The Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote about ASEAN-US relations, ASEAN and human rights and ASEAN’s regional crisis fund after participating in the USAID-supported Southeast Asia Journalism Program.  The program educates the media about the role of ASEAN in regional development and world politics.  Ten journalists from ASEAN member states and the U.S. met with government, business and civic leaders, as well as USAID workers and development contractors, in Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore during the 12-day program.  U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Scot Marciel told the journalists in a teleconference that the Obama administration is placing renewed emphasis on Southeast Asia.

Focusing on Health and Economic Growth in Laos

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The U.S. Ambassador to Laos, Ravic Huso, expressed interest in USAID expanding its programs in health, governance and education in Laos during a briefing with USAID/RDMA Mission Director Olivier Carduner in Vientiane earlier this month.  Ambassador Huso later launched a USAID-organized conference for the Lao National Assembly to help parliamentarians learn from the experiences of Cambodia and Vietnam in joining the World Trade Organization and implementing U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement commitments.  USAID is assisting Laos improve its avian influenza prevention and response measures.  It is working with most-at-risk populations to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs (sexually transmitted infections).  In the southern Laotian towns of Pakse, Salavan and Savannakhet, Carduner and his team conferred with health experts at provincial and district hospitals and reviewed USAID-funded AI, HIV/AIDS and education projects for the handicapped.

Journalists Explore the Role of ASEAN

Thursday, February 19, 2009

U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Scot Marciel told journalists that the Obama administration is placing renewed emphasis on Southeast Asia.  Marciel made the comments about Southeast Asia’s strategic importance in a teleconference to ASEAN and U.S. journalists who were part of a USAID-supported Southeast Asia Journalism Program to educate the media about the role of ASEAN in regional development and world politics.  The 10 journalists, including representatives from the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, also attended sessions in Bangkok detailing three successful USAID-funded projects: the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign, the Clean Energy and Climate Change program, and the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN), which is fighting illegal trafficking in flora and fauna.

USAID Helps Share Regional Environmental Expertise

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Indonesia environmental inspectors will observe their counterparts in Singapore and then apply their approaches to improve enforcement at home.  The partnership was arranged through the USAID-funded Asian Environmental Compliance Enforcement Network (AECEN), which helps Asian countries share innovative practices to protect the environment. 

International Water Experts Share Strategies in Beijing

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Experts from U.S. and the Philippines are working with the Chinese to increase public participation in water management in China.  The partners from the USAID-supported WaterLinks network shared strategies at a national workshop in Beijing.  Representatives from Los Angeles and Manila shared approaches to encourage public involvement to improve water management and water quality.  Engaging the public can lead to a better understanding of people’s water service needs and a more transparent planning process.

Wildlife Enforcement Training Draws Interest from India

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network training program launched a Thai-Lao Forest Ranger Training Course to protect forest reserves from poaching, illegal logging and other threats.  Six observers from India joined the ASEAN-WEN program with plans to collaborate on future illegal wildlife trade and poaching issues.  ASEAN-WEN, which is supported by USAID and the U.S. Department of State, also completed a month-long on-the-job training course for the 12-member Cambodian Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team.

Secretary of State Voices U.S. Support for ASEAN

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the U.S. supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is committed to continuing and increasing the tools of “’soft power,’ including development and diplomacy” in Southeast Asia.  Clinton said U.S. support for ASEAN is demonstrated through USAID’s Technical Assistance and Training Facility (TATF), which is embedded in the ASEAN Secretariat.  The TATF is part of USAID’s ADVANCE program, which supports the ASEAN Secretariat as well as the Greater Mekong Sub-region and a bilateral project assisting Laos’ accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).  Clinton made the comments after meeting with ASEAN’s Secretary General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.  She said the U.S. is working on its Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN that would draw it closer to the 10-nation organization. 

Laos Learns from Others in Region on Joining the WTO

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

U.S. Ambassador to Laos Ravic Huso opened a two-day, USAID-sponsored workshop for the Lao National Assembly and Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce to help officials learn from Cambodia and Vietnam about their experiences joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) and implementing Lao-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) commitments.  USAID/RDMA Mission Director Olivier Carduner attended the workshop in Vientiane.  The US and Laos also launched the second phase of a USAID project to help Laos meet the requirements to join the WTO, comply with BTA obligations, and help Lao fulfill its commitments to the ASEAN Economic Community.  The first phase was launched in 2008.

U.S. and Chinese Law Professors Share Teaching Techniques

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

USAID brought 50 Chinese and U.S. law professors together in Beijing to share educational techniques to build students’ advocacy skills.  The USAID Conference on Experiential Learning in Law at China University of Political Science and Law focused on courtroom and legal clinic simulations to sharpen students’ advocacy skills.  The seminar was run by the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.

Thailand Uses New Interview Techniques to Curb Wildlife Trafficking

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A suspected trafficker admitted to repeatedly breaking wildlife smuggling laws when Thai police and customs agents used interview techniques learned at a USAID- and U.S. Department of State-sponsored training program.  The officers were participating in an ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) on-the-job training course, led by current and retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agents, to gather information on wildlife crimes.  ASEAN-WEN assists training and cross-border collaboration to curb wildlife trafficking in Southeast Asia.

Coral Triangle Countries Agree on Roadmap

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Southeast Asian and Pacific countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), a USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported program effort to save the world’s largest expanse of mangroves and coral reefs and their diverse sea-life, currently under threat from pollution, unsustainable fishing practices and climate change.  Officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste, meeting in the Philippines, agreed on a CTI Roadmap that includes national plans of action.  To create a solid, centralized presence, the CTI Coordination Committee recommended establishing a permanent CTI Secretariat within two years.

Chinese Communities to Pilot Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Schemes

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

With the help of USAID, three Chinese communities have set out to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gasses.  The competitively selected pilot communities in Guangdong Province, China, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with USAID’s Guangdong Environmental Partnership Program to implement a range of initiatives.  The pilot projects will call upon Chinese and international technical experts to work with members of the community to assess energy use and measure carbon emissions.  They will then develop plans for interventions to be carried out over the next three years that will lead to new community-led opportunities for sustainable, low-carbon growth.

Philippine Finance Institutions to Pilot Water Financing Model

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

A new water financing model that could improve lives by providing greater access to water will be piloted in the Philippines.  Three Philippine financial institutions signed a Memorandum of agreement on January 30, 2009 to pilot test the model that was developed for small-scale water service providers by the USAID-supported Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific.

Animal Planet Brings Attention to Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

Friday, January 30, 2009

The USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) is collaborating with the Animal Planet network to update its popular “Crime Scene Wild” anti-animal-trafficking series that was launched in 2007.  There will be 75 new scenes for worldwide release when the project is completed.  ASEAN-WEN strives to raise public awareness about illegal animal trafficking.

Companies Agree to Develop Quality Standard for Asian CFLs

Friday, January 30, 2009

The world’s largest lighting companies agreed on a plan to develop a quality mark for energy-saving light bulbs sold in Asia.  With support from USAID’s ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program, the group is developing voluntary quality standards for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).  This will help reduce the large number of substandard CFLs currently being sold in Asia and increase the use of CFLs, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The companies, all members of the Asia CFL Quality Charter (AQC), account for more than one-third of the CFL sales in Asia.  Charter members expect to launch the quality mark system in the second half of 2009.

USAID Launches Training to Support Sustainable Timber Trade

Friday, January 30, 2009

USAID’s Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT) program launched a five-part training course to give government, industry and civil society groups the skills needed to further develop the legal and sustainable timber trade.  RAFT launched its course on natural resources conflict management in Chiang Mai.  The 20 participants represented organizations from countries across Southeast Asia and from China.  Participants will graduate with the skills needed to get forest certification and strengthen the legal and sustainable timber trade.

USAID Supports Nepal's Response to Bird Flu Outbreak

Friday, January 30, 2009

Nepal was able to effectively respond to first avian influenza outbreak thanks a USAID program that has dedicated about $2.2 million to bird flu detection and response in Nepal over the past three years.  When the outbreak was confirmed in January, Nepal asked USAID to ship personal protective equipment and decontamination kits to replenish the supplies being used in its response.  USAID had stocked materials in its Bangkok distribution center, which opened last year, and was able to ship the supplies to Nepal within two days preventing the spread of the disease.

U.S. Government Provides Flood Relief to Fiji

Friday, January 30, 2009

The U.S. Government is providing $89,000 in assistance to the victims of severe flooding on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.  As of January 13, floods had killed nine people and displaced more than 6,500 residents, according to the National Disaster Management Office.  Water levels of more than 10 feet closed all major roads and airports.  USAID’s Regional Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has provided $50,000 of the total through the U.S. Embassy to the Fiji Red Cross Society for the distribution of relief supplies and the implementation of emergency activities.  USAID/OFDA staff in Washington, D.C., and Bangkok, Thailand, will continue to monitor the situation in close coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Suva.

China Launches Collaborative Planning Model for Water Systems

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The USAID-supported ECO-Asia program is helping introduce new approaches that will help bring clean water to more poor Chinese.  Officials in Jiangsu Province hosted a series of USAID-supported ECO-Asia workshops to launch a new approach to planning water supply systems.  The planning process will help develop more efficient water systems based on consumers’ needs.  With help from Hohai University, participants will develop a guide so the process can be applied nationwide.

U.S. and Asian Police Join to Tackle Wildlife Trafficking Mafia

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Organized crime syndicates illegally trading endangered species will now be under more pressure from increased coordination by police across Southeast Asia and China.  The USAID- and U.S. Department of State-funded ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) helped organize the first-ever Special Investigation Group (SIG) Meeting and Workshop on Trafficking in Big Cats and Pangolins.  Senior police investigators from Southeast Asia, China and the U.S. attended the meeting in Bangkok.  This is the first time authorities from the region and the U.S. have created a strategy to confront the organized crime syndicates that are illegally trading scaly anteaters, tigers and leopards.  The workshop also focused on improving collaboration and cross-border intelligence.

Biodiversity Demo Plot Selected as Pilot Site by Vietnam

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

The Government of Vietnam has selected a USAID-funded biodiversity demonstration plot in Lam Dong Province as a pilot site in the implementation of its national payment for environmental services (PES) policy.  The USAID-funded Asia Regional Biodiversity Conservation Program (ARBCP) has prevented deforestation in the 880-hectare site through the planting of threatened timber species, while increasing local incomes through public-private partnerships in bamboo, essential oils, and cacao production systems.  With ARBCP support, the province will expand its work with PES, connecting with watershed and carbon-emission reduction credit buyers as well as private-sector forest commodity producers.  The pilot project will provide a model for further investments in biodiversity-friendly forest-related businesses and ecosystem services across the province and the Dong Nai River Basin.

Avian Influenza Information Hotline Expands Reach to Thai Farmers

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

A new, USAID-supported avian influenza information hotline is available via mobile phone in Thailand and, building on an existing program, is expected to reach an additional 2 million Thai farmers in 20 provinces.  The AI information is being incorporated into the Thai “Farmers Information Super Highway” program, which uses radio broadcasts, posters, leaflets and the Internet disseminate information about agricultural topics.  The pandemic and AI messages will now reach farmers in 60 Thai provinces where about 80% of the country’s farmers live.  This Global Development Alliance (GDA) program unites private telecom and broadcasting companies with government agencies, local farmer networks, local officials and a leading Thai foundation.

Thai-U.S. Cooperation Leads to Animal Smuggling Conviction

Monday, December 22, 2008

A mother and her daughter were convicted of smuggling a rhesus macaque monkey into the U.S. from Thailand. Their conviction is due to the strong case built, in part, through the close cooperation between the Royal Thai Police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Collaboration between the FWS and law enforcement agencies in Southeast Asia has been fostered by the USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN).

USAID Provides Assistance to Flood-ravaged Papua New Guinea

Monday, December 22, 2008

The U.S. Government is providing $50,000 in assistance to the victims of severe flooding from Tropical Cyclone Guba in Papua New Guinea. USAID is providing funding to the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) for the purchase and transport of emergency supplies to the affected areas. USAID’s Regional Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in Bangkok and Washington is monitoring the situation with the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby to determine whether additional assistance is needed. The PNGRCS said flooding displaced at least 75,300 people and destroyed more than 400 houses. U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Leslie Rowe expressed sympathy to the victims of the disaster on behalf of the American people.

Manufacturers Finalize Quality Standards for Energy-Saving Lamps

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Reacting to a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) report that up to 50% of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in Asia are of poor quality, representatives from Asia’s largest lighting companies met in Shanghai to finalize industry standards to ensure that energy-saving, long-life CFLs meet consumer expectations, save energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The standards were developed by Philips, OSRAM, General Electric, Havells-Sylvania and several large Chinese manufacturers who together formed the Asia CFL Quality Charter. The group receives support from the USAID ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program.

Indonesia Hosts Training on Environmental Cases at AECEN Forum

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

The Supreme Court of Indonesia hosted a two-day regional training program in Bali to strengthen the capacity of judges and courts to review and award damages in natural resource cases. The forum was partly funded by USAID and was held in conjunction with the fifth-annual USAID-supported Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN) Forum. The AECEN Forum, attended by 80 experts from 11 Asian nations and the U.S., emphasized the role of decentralization in strengthening environmental enforcement.

Indian Water Facility Gets Assistance From Malaysian Twin

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Engineers from the Indian state water and sewerage utility Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran visited Ranhill Utilities Berhad’s water treatment facility in Johor, Malaysia, to address water losses, network design and operations, and customer service. This WaterLinks “twinning” program is supported by USAID through its Environmental-Cooperation Asia (ECO-Asia) program.

Vietnam Utilities Pledge $3.2 Million to Protect Forests, Livelihoods

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Electric and water utilities pledged $3.2 million to protect the forests and services they provide in Lam Dong Province at a USAID-funded Asia Regional Biodiversity Conservation Program (ARBCP) stakeholder roundtable meeting. The payments will generate $730 for each of 3,000 area households, increasing incomes by 350% over current levels. The ARBCP-supported policy is the first of its kind to be adopted by electric and water utilities in Southeast Asia. ARBCP plans to craft a similar policy in Cambodia and with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity for similar programs in the region.

Manila, Danang Utilities Team to Improve Water Quality

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

The Manila Water Company Inc. (MWCI) is helping the Danang Water Supply Company (DAWACO) improve its water chlorination as part of the WaterLinks program that "twins" water projects to improve capacity. MWCI staffers assessed DAWACO's water quality management system and suggested corrective actions. USAID supports WaterLinks through its Environmental-Cooperation Asia (ECO-Asia) program.

Chinese Official Feted for Environmental Compliance Leadership

Thursday, November 06, 2008

The Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN) will give its first Award for Outstanding Service and Commitment by a Woman to Tang Xingqun, Deputy Director-General of the Chongqing Environmental Protection Bureau. The award, for leadership and contributing to environmental compliance and enforcement, will be made at AECEN's Annual Forum in Bali on November 24-26. USAID is the sole supporter of this year’s forum and provides principal funding for AECEN, which promotes improved compliance with environmental policies, laws and regulations.

ASEAN Single Window Moves Closer to Reality

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The first component of the USAID-supported ASEAN Single Window (ASW) program, an application for sharing Certificates of Origin, was demonstrated for customs authorities in Kuala Lumpur. The application will be deployed to participating countries by early January. The ASW program, which will make custom clearance faster when it is implemented, is a key component in ASEAN’s trade facilitation strategy.

Incidence of Malaria Drops in Greater Mekong Subregion

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Global Fund representatives reported a reduction in malaria morbidity and mortality in the Greater Mekong Subregion at the recent USAID Mekong Malaria Program (MMP) Core Partners’ Meeting in Bangkok. Participants also discussed the need for containment measures along the Thai-Cambodian border for malaria resistant to artemisinin combination therapy (ACT).

Japanese to Help Thai Experts Prevent, Manage Soil Contamination

Monday, October 27, 2008

Japan's Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and Thailand's Pollution Control Department agreed to launch a new partnership in Bangkok to prevent and manage soil contamination. Japan's Ministry of Environment is a pioneer in soil and groundwater contamination and through IGES will strengthen Thailand's efforts to develop policies to prevent and manage soil contamination. USAID-supported AECEN, the leading platform for promoting environmental governance in Asia, arranged the partnership.

Proposed Database of ASEAN Trade Regulations Gets Positive Reception

Sunday, October 26, 2008

ASEAN is considering introducing a computerized repository of trade regulations and tariffs based on a presentation by the USAID- and State-funded ADVANCE ASEAN-US Technical Assistance and Training Facility. The database of import, export and transit regulations would increase transparency and make it easier to do business in ASEAN. The proposal was made at a recent trade committee meeting in Vientiane.

Asian Wildlife Police Discuss Program with INTERPOL Authorities

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Senior officers from the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) and Thai Task Force gave a presentation about the ASEAN-WEN program at the Sixth International Conference on Environmental Crime at INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France. USAID and the State Department sponsor ASEAN-WEN.

Top Lamp Producers Set Quality Standards at USAID’s Urging

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

The world's four largest lighting manufacturers drafted Asia's first performance guidelines for energy-saving lamps. USAID spearheaded this initiative to ensure compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) meet quality benchmarks. CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent lamps and last eight to 10 times longer. However, a USAID study found that half the CFLs made in Asia don't perform as advertised. Philips, OSRAM, General Electric, and Havells Sylvania, which produce one-third the CFLs sold in Asia, along with several large Chinese manufacturers and national lighting associations, drew up the guidelines.

Guangdong Manufacturers to Clear the Air with USAID Help

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

USAID has just awarded $1.5 million for the Guangdong Environmental Partnership (GEP), a three-year program to work with China’s Guangdong Province’s government, businesses, and community to improve environmental governance and reduce greenhouse gases. This Global Development Alliance, led by the Institute for Sustainable Communities, will: help small- and medium-sized companies strengthen environmental compliance through a new Environment, Health and Safety Academy for business managers; enhance environmental enforcement by partnering Chinese officials and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA); and mobilize communities through energy efficiency initiatives and education on sustainable development. The GEP will include $3 million in matching funds and in-kind contributions though partnerships with GE, Citigroup, Honeywell, SABIC Innovative Plastics, Adidas, Hewlett Packard, USEPA, the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, and the Center for Global Partnership.

Cambodia Cleans Up with WASH Campaign

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Cambodia recently held its first water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) day to raise awareness about proper hygiene practices and encourage improved sanitation throughout the country. The event, held in Phnom Penh, drew over 1,200 people. The government plans to replicate hand-washing promotional activities, sponsored by USAID’s Environmental Cooperation-Asia (ECO-Asia) program, throughout the country.

Rare Animals Rescued as Police Respond to USAID Drive

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Highway patrol officers in southern Thailand intercepted a pick-up truck bound for Bangkok and discovered 440 pounds of endangered pangolins (scaly anteaters) in a hidden compartment. Heightened awareness of illegal wildlife trade by the USAID- and U.S. Department of State-supported ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) is encouraging greater vigilance. The Thai Highway Police last month took part in ASEAN-WEN’s Nature Crime Investigation Course.

USAID Funds Financing Strategy to Support Water Projects

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

USAID/RDMA's Environmental Cooperation-Asia (ECO-Asia) program is funding a $25,000 regional water financing strategy with the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP). The project, announced in Manila, will develop business models for banks and financial institutions to assist the water sector in Asia. The study will focus on water utilities, small entrepreneurs and households. Results will be presented at a regional water financing workshop in November.

USAID Signs Pact to Improve Water and Sanitation in Asia

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), International Water Association (IWA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an agreement in Stockholm to establish an Asia-wide partnership called WaterLinks that will provide clean drinking water and sanitation throughout the region by coordinating and promoting Water Operation Partnerships (WOPs). WOPs pair, or "twin," water operators searching for solutions with operators who have already surmounted similar challenges. IWA will broker new WOPs through its member network, ADB will finance the ventures, and ADB and USAID will leverage their resources to support the WOPs.

Vietnamese Join USAID Biodiversity Program to Enrich Forest Areas

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Residents near Cat Tien National Park, 150 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City, have begun planting bamboo, forest cocoa and trees in degraded forest areas. With support from the USAID-funded Asia Regional Biodiversity Conservation Program, 340 households are enriching 1,100 hectares of land with plants that will increase their income, circumvent deforestation, and improve the ecosystem in this area which protects one of the largest lowland tropical rainforests in Vietnam.

USAID Links Thailand and U.S. Wastewater Utilities to Improve Operations

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

USAID’s ECO-Asia program has linked wastewater authorities in Thailand and the U.S. to improve management, operations and maintenance of treatment plants throughout Thailand Treatment specialists from the Wastewater Management Authority (WMA) of Thailand will join experts from the area for a one-year project. Engineers from the King County's Wastewater Treatment Division will help Thai authorities improve the Krabi wastewater plant and then replicate lessons learned throughout Thailand.

MTV heads to Laos to record trafficking-in-persons film

Monday, July 14, 2008

The latest version of the USAID-funded Traffic: An MTV EXIT Special is being filmed in Laos. Pop singer Kai from the group Overdrive is narrating the film for broadcast later this year on Laos Star Channel. Lao the 14th language for this documentary about human trafficking. New versions for Bangladesh, Nepal and two for Sri Lanka (in Sinhalese and Tamil) will be recorded later this year.

U.S. wildlife officers teach course to break trafficking networks

Monday, July 14, 2008

Thai police, judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys, as well as officials from Vietnam, India, and the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP), are attending a Nature Crime Investigation Course in Bangkok. The class, sponsored by the USAID-funded ASEAN-WEN (ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network), focuses on strategies to detect and apprehend the people behind wildlife trafficking networks. The course is being taught by senior U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officers.

Leading lighting companies sign quality-assurance pact

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The world’s three largest lighting companies, Philips, OSRAM and General Electric, signed an agreement at the Asia Clean Energy Forum to establish quality standards for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in Asia. Half the CFLs currently sold in Asia are substandard, producing less light or burning out more quickly than advertised. USAID and the Asian Development Bank sponsored the Asia Clean Energy Forum. The USAID ECO-Asia Clean Development Program has been pushing for CFL standards for the past year.

USAID assists ASEAN to develop indicators for legal timber

Friday, April 25, 2008

USAID’s Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT) Program supported the ASEAN Secretariat’s intiative to develop indicators for legal timber at a meeting in Burma. ASEAN timber certification will improve forest management and trade using legally sourced wood.

Largest Sweep of Illegal Wildlife Dealers

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Thai police recently conducted the year’s largest sweep of illegal wildlife dealers, raiding 10 shops and arresting three merchant suspected of selling rare and endangered species. The Chatuchak Market dealers were arrested after attempting to sell animals to undercover agents with the Royal Thai Police Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division. This division was trained by the USAID-sponsored ASEAN-WEN Support Program, a regional wildlife enforcement network funded by USAID.