As agricultural transitions reshape the Mekong region, a balanced approach that prioritizes land rights, environmental sustainability, and economic justice is essential for fostering responsible investments. The recent State of Land (SoL) webinar Pathways to Responsible Agriculture in the Mekong, sought to address the challenges and opportunities of this transformation, emphasizing the need for secure land tenure, fair contracts, and sustainable farming practices. By highlighting innovative tools like geospatial data and advocating for multi-stakeholder collaboration, the session outlined actionable pathways to ensure equitable and sustainable agricultural development in the region and beyond. The webinar was moderated by Naomi Basik Treanor, Regional Responsible Agricultural Investment (RAI) adviser for MRLG.
The State of Land in the Mekong Region webinar series, co-hosted by the Land Portal Foundation, Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG), and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern, explores the dynamic shifts in land governance across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. As part of MRLG’s final project phase (2023–2025), the series focuses on sharing insights, addressing challenges, and promoting solutions in land governance. With an emphasis on openness and accessibility, each session examines key trends and innovations while fostering collaboration to advance sustainable practices and equitable land rights in the region.
The webinar also marked the launch of MRLG’s latest publication, Agricultural Investment in the Mekong Region: A Comparative Analysis to Inform the Transition to Responsible Practices. This report provides critical insights into the region’s agricultural investments and offers guidance on adopting sustainable and equitable practices.
Key insights from Neil Sorensen of Land Portal as well as proceedings from the webinar may be found via the links below:
VIDEOS
PRESENTATIONS
Jean-Christophe Diepart (interdisciplinary researcher)
Fred Stolle, Deputy Director, Forests Program,·World Resources Institute (WRI)
