The future of the wetlands and their inhabitants in the Mekong region appears brighter, after the 5 April 2006 signing of an agreement in which the government of Sweden will fund a program known as the Wetlands Alliance.
H. E. Mr. Jonas Hafström, Swedish ambassador to Thailand , and AIT President Said Irandoust signed the agreement, in which the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) will provide 44.75 million Swedish Kronor (approximately US$ 5.8 million) to the program over three years.
AIT will carry out the program with three other organizations: WorldFish Center , WWF International and the Coastal Resources Institute of the Prince of Songkla University.
The Wetlands Alliance Programme's goal is to improve the sustainability of wetlands, livelihoods and food security for the poor in Cambodia , Lao P.D.R., Thailand and Vietnam by helping local agencies initiate effective changes.
“This is about increasing the quality of life for rural people in the region,” Prof. Irandoust said. “We see this support as recognition of our institute and the other three partners within sustainable development issues.
“It is also recognition of AIT and Sweden 's commitment to the sustainable development of the region. This kind of approach, working closely with local knowledge is very important to AIT. This is the way we would like to work with partner organizations: integrating advanced scientific knowledge with local knowledge – all to the benefit of the end user in the region.”
Ambassador Hafström said the contribution fits into the long history Sweden has funding development projects in the region and specifically through AIT.
“We are a long-term partner and hopefully will remain a long-term partner,” Ambassador Hafström said.
Work began on the Wetlands Alliance Programme in January, and Sida funding will carry that work through December 2008.