US-AEP Regional Approach

By taking advantage of its regional perspective, US-AEP will promote regional cooperation on environmental issues, maximize the impact of program activities, and maximize resources. US-AEP is based on the concept that Asia’s environmental problems can best be solved through partnerships and a collaborative approach. Transboundary environmental problems, for instance, can only be solved through the cooperation of all the responsible countries. The policies and practices of “upstream” countries have a significant impact on the environmental quality of “downstream” countries. By engaging all the stakeholders and strengthening their capacity for consensus-based decision making, US-AEP is able to promote a cooperative approach to protecting shared ecosystems. In addition, all the US-AEP countries struggle with the dual challenges of promoting economic growth while trying to minimize the negative environmental impacts of that growth. Since ideas that work well in one country are often suitable for other countries in the region, US-AEP is able to multiply the impact of its efforts by sharing lessons learned and successes among its individual country programs. At the same time, regional commonalities offer the opportunity to leverage US-AEP program resources at the regional level in a way that enhances the resource efficiency of the overall program and supports individual country programs.

Country Workplan

• Fiscal Year 2003
• Fiscal Year 2004 (last year's workplan)
• Fiscal Year 2005

List of Projects for FY 2005

1. Asian Regional Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network - To share best practices on compliance and enforcement through a regional network dedicated to linking Asian officials and practitioners.
2. Environmental Governance and Consensus Building in the Mekong - To strengthen the capabilities and capacity of MRC member countries to resolve transboundary environmental and development conflicts to ensure sustainable development in the Mekong watershed.
3. Support to ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities Program - To promote best practices in clean water, land and air management practices among participating ASEAN cities
4. Support to the Clean Air Initiative - To promote and demonstrate innovative ways to improve the air quality of Asian cities through partnerships and sharing experiences.
5. Promoting Full-Cost Recovery among SEAWUN Members - To promote improved cost recovery among SEAWUN member country utilities through specialized training and counterpart exchange
6. Documenting US-AEP Lessons Learned - To document and disseminate lessons learned through US-AEP activities.