Alton, Ill. - This week a delegation of 14 foreign ministers and representatives of the Mekong River Commission visited Lewis and Clark Community College's campuses in Alton and Godfrey.
The delegation, which represented the countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, are in the U.S. to meet with representatives of the U.S. State Department, Mississippi River Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and to exchange ideas with scientists and river researchers from Lewis and Clark Community College's National Great Rivers Research and Education Center related to sustainability, navigation and flood and drought management.
The group toured the Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station and discussed mutual concerns about adaptation to climate change, sustainability and stewardship of large rivers, hydropower development, navigation, flood and drought management, and water and food security.
Once the group leaves this area, they will accompany representatives from the State Department to Washington D.C. to continue exchanging policy recommendations and ideas.
"This is just the beginning of our ongoing exchange with the Mekong River Commission," said Lewis and Clark President and NGRREC Chair Dale Chapman. "We are looking forward to future exchanges that will involve our researchers as well as our students as we explore our two river's similarities and learn best practices that will ensure the sustainability of both great rivers."
Chapman said NGRREC has also hosted similar exchanges with representatives from the Yangtze River in China and the Magdalena River in Columbia.
Read more at thetelegraph.com.