ROBUST DECISION-MAKING IN THE MEKONG

The document explores the application of Robust Decision Making (RDM) to address the 'super wicked' problem of climate adaptation in the Greater Mekong Subregion, where decision-making is often hindered by mistrust of national governments and unequal power dynamics. It suggests that while full RDM is technically intensive, a simplified 'RDM lite' approach could better suit local needs by preserving core principles of participation and robustness. The study also identifies critical needs for capacity building, strengthening informal networks, and ensuring 'meaningful' participation through transparent information access and digital inclusion.

• There is a significant lack of trust in national government bodies regarding natural resource management in the Greater Mekong Subregion, with nearly half of survey respondents stating they do not trust these bodies at all or only in some instances.
• The Robust Decision Making (RDM) methodology is identified as a tool with strong potential to improve inclusivity by integrating local expertise and building trust among diverse stakeholders.
• Because full RDM is analytically intensive and requires significant data and modelling skills, a less technical 'RDM lite' approach is proposed to better meet local needs while maintaining principles of robustness and adaptive decision-making.
• The most critical factors for strengthening inclusive climate adaptation in the region are increased participation of community and civil society groups and the greater incorporation of local knowledge into formal decision-making.
• Informal networks, such as messaging application groups used by riparian communities in Thailand, serve as vital leverage points for organizing and sharing information, sometimes receiving official recognition or funding.
• Meaningful participation requires digestible information in local languages, clear messaging, and transparent recourse mechanisms, such as making complaints to the Mekong River Commission's (MRC) processes publicly available.
• While digital technology has expanded engagement, a 'digital divide' and state censorship create risks and barriers for remote rural communities and those speaking out against government actions.

APA

Pottinger-Glass, C., Zenobi, S., Piman, T., Saluja, R., Menon, U., & Krittasudthacheewa, C. (2022). ROBUST DECISION-MAKING IN THE MEKONG. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-robust-decision-making-in-the-mekong-discussion-paper-2022.pdf

Chicago

Pottinger-Glass, Chloe, Stefano Zenobi, Thanapon Piman, Ridhi Saluja, Urvana Menon, and Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa. ROBUST DECISION-MAKING IN THE MEKONG. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-robust-decision-making-in-the-mekong-discussion-paper-2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Pottinger-Glass |first1=Chloe |last2=Zenobi |first2=Stefano |last3=Piman |first3=Thanapon |last4=Saluja |first4=Ridhi |last5=Menon |first5=Urvana |last6=Krittasudthacheewa |first6=Chayanis |title=ROBUST DECISION-MAKING IN THE MEKONG |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=December 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-robust-decision-making-in-the-mekong-discussion-paper-2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{pottingerglass2022robust, author = {Pottinger-Glass, Chloe and Zenobi, Stefano and Piman, Thanapon and Saluja, Ridhi and Menon, Urvana and Krittasudthacheewa, Chayanis}, title = {{ROBUST DECISION-MAKING IN THE MEKONG}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = dec, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-robust-decision-making-in-the-mekong-discussion-paper-2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }