Additional Context: Wonders of the Mekong, or WoM, was a USAID-funded project entering its ninth year of implementation before it was abruptly terminated in early 2025. Set to continue until 2029, this $29.7 million project financed research and training activities related to the biome of the Mekong river, built capacity at local educational and policy institutions for research and conservation efforts, and developed communication campaigns and partnerships.

These students and researchers were affiliated with the Royal University of Agriculture, Royal University of Phnom Penh, University of Nevada, Reno, and Utah State University, according to Sudeep Chandra, co-director of the Wonders of the Mekong project. Their research projects collected data and information supporting capacity development and management of water quality and harmful algae, plastic waste, greenhouse gas emissions, fisheries production and megafish conservation in the Mekong River Basin. In addition, their efforts also developed tools for science communication to build community engagement.

Source: Wonders of the Mekong