US Vice President Announces Support for Clean Energy in the Mekong Region

On her visit to Thailand, US Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region through cooperation with Mekong-region countries.

In Bangkok, Harris met with civil society leaders involved in climate action and environmental protection in Northern Thailand and business leaders involved in the clean energy transition to advance work in the Mekong sub-region.

During the dialogue, The Vice President announced new funding to support clean energy, connectivity, and sustainable economic development in the Mekong sub-region.

This announcement builds on the announcements the Vice President made to support the Mekong sub-region in protecting the environment and supporting sustainable use of natural resources, including the Mekong-Mississippi Sister Rivers Partnership and the Mekong NextGen Scientists program.

Harris announced that the US administration intends to request from Congress up to US$20 million in additional funding to The Japan-U.S.-Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP), which supports the Mekong region’s pursuit of energy security while encouraging greater regional power trade and integration.

Since announcing JUMPP in August 2019 with an initial US investment of US$29.5 million, the United States and Japan have expanded partnerships with Mekong countries to build more competitive and connected energy markets and infrastructure.  JUMPP supports Mekong governments in achieving their clean energy transition and regional interconnection goals.

Mekong countries are rapidly integrating renewable energy projects that require technical assistance for modernizing regulations, market mechanisms, and for maintaining stability and reliability.

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