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Press Release

Chair Ami Bera Holds Hearing on the Challenges in the Mekong Region

Today’s hearing was the final subcommittee hearing of the 117th Congress

Washington, DC, December 7, 2022

Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, today released the following statement after holding a Subcommittee hearing on the environmental, developmental, and security challenges in the Mekong sub-region. The sub-region comprises of five Southeast Asian nations that border the Mekong River: Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

“It is hard to overstate the importance of the Mekong region for the prosperity and well-being of the broader Indo-Pacific,” said Chair Ami Bera. “As a long-time friend and partner to Southeast Asia, the United States will continue to support the autonomy, good governance, and sustainable growth of the Mekong countries.”

Located at the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, countries of the Lower Mekong Basin are a vital economic and agricultural hub. The Mekong is home to one of the world’s most biodiverse rivers, forest, and agricultural zones. Its abundant natural resources not only support the livelihoods and connectivity for the nearly 65 million people there, but also contributes to global food security.

This past October, Representative Bera led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam to continue building partnerships in addressing war legacy issues ranging from unexploded ordnance clearance, to environmental remediation, to assistance to those affected by land mines or dioxin. The Congressional delegation also had conversations with community and government leaders to understand the unique hurdles facing the region and opportunities for additional U.S. partnership.

Witnesses at today’s hearing included:

  • Mr. Brian Eyler, Senior Fellow and Director of the Southeast Asia Program and the Energy, Water, and Sustainability Program at the Stimson Center.
  • Mr. Greg Poling, Senior Fellow and Director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
  • Dr. Patrick M. Cronin, Chair for Asia-Pacific Security Hudson Institute.

Chair Bera also took time to recognize Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH) for his years of committed service and friendship.