A forum on science and technology within the framework of the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) held for the first time at the Vietnam Embassy in the United State has pointed out technological challenges faced by the lower Mekong countries in ensuring water and food security.

Held recently, the forum brought together over 80 delegates representing for the embassies of the lower Mekong countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, the US Department of State, the US Department of Agriculture, the Group of Friends of the LMI, experts, scholars, and some enterprises operating in technology transfer field.

Participants to the forum, titled ‘Technological solutions for sustainable development in the Mekong River Basin’, underlined the need for seedling, post-harvest and water-treatment technologies for these target countries.

They also discussed how the science community approaches those challenges and seeks solutions for them. Some technologies, which can be applied in agriculture and water resources, were demonstrated at the event.

Some US agencies, such as the US Agency for International Development, the US Trade and Development Agency, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, shared their experience in creating financial resources and linkage channels.

Pham Quang Vinh, Vietnam’s Ambassador to the US, said that the forum was an initial step towards the establishment of an open and periodical mechanism in the future for the ambassadors in the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), the US Department of State, the Group of Friends of the LMI and relevant organisations and enterprises to exchange their opinions and experience.

It is expected to help with seeking scientific and technological solutions and support mechanisms for successful LMI implementation, serving the sustainable development of the lower Mekong countries, he said.-VNA