Mekong Update 2026: Cross-cutting challenges in mainland Southeast Asia

After a period of relative peace and stable economic growth, the Mekong subregion is facing unwelcome new challenges, as interstate conflict reemerges and transnational crime flourishes. At the same time democratisation has stalled, authoritarian regimes are colluding and the effects of climate change are being felt.

In a conference sponsored by ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, and Thailand’s Institute of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University, scholars and experts will explore this complex policy landscape, encouraging conversation in an objective and constructive atmosphere.

This is an in-person only event.

Program

Wednesday 6 May 2026
All sessions: Auditorium, Australian Centre on China in the World, Building 188, Fellows Lane, ANU

8.45am Arrival and registration

9.00am Opening Address

• Professor Helen Sullivan, Dean, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
• Ambassador Arjaree Sriratanaban, Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra

9.30am Panel I: Climate Change and Green Transition

• Dr Kanya Souksakoun, National University of Laos
• Mr Akkanut Wantanasombut, Chulalongkorn University
• Associate Professor Keith Barney, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy
• Dr Mira Käkönen, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy

11.00am Morning tea

11.30am Panel II: Transnational Crime

• Dr Katrin Travouillon, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
• Ms Bopha Phorn, PhD candidate, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
• Dr Anuk Pitakthanin, Chulalongkorn University
• Mr David Boyle, Producer - 101 East, Al Jazeera

1.00pm Lunch

1.40pm Short documentary screening: Climate and Labour (directed by Mr Akkanut Wantanasombat, Chulalongkorn University).

2.00pm Panel III: Border Conflicts and Geopolitics

• Honorary Professor Craig Reynolds, School of Culture, History and Language, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
• Dr Debby Chan, Australian Centre on China in the World, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
• Ms Dana Lee, Master’s student in Peace and Conflict Studies, ANU
• Ms Angela Suriyasenee, Fellow at Verve Research
• ​​Mr Samuel Hmung, PhD candidate, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

3.30pm Afternoon tea

4.00pm Transnational and Domestic Repression

• Associate Professor Greg Raymond, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
• Dr Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, Chulalongkorn University
• Dr Andrea Haefner, Griffith University
• Dr Swe Oo Mon, Myanmar Research Centre, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

5.30pm End of Update

It can be hard to find parking at ANU during business hours. We recommend you walk, cycle, use public transport, or rideshare where possible.

Visitor Parking Options on campus:

PayStay: please refer to this map for options that are closer to the venue. Visitors can utilise PayStay APP to pay and park. Please note you can pay over the phone by calling 02 6125 0179, option 1 for PayStay.

Kambri car park: There is a ticketless car park on the city-side of campus under the Kambri Cultural Centre. The entrance is near the Copland Lecture Theatre on Kingsley Street.