4th Mekong Regional Land Forum

The Mekong Regional Land Forum 2025 - a regional platform bringing together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities from across the Mekong and the world - will be taking place from 17-19 September 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand* and online. Building on the momentum of the previous Forums and the past decade of the Mekong Region Land Governance Project’s work, this year’s event will tackle three interconnected challenges reshaping the region: climate change, the agrarian transition, and policy reform. 

Climate change and land rights

As governments commit to net-zero targets, protection of the Mekong forests becomes vital. To achieve these targets, the communities who live and depend on these forests must contribute to and benefit from protection initiatives. Topics will include:

• Secure land tenure as a climate solution
• REDD+, the carbon economy and responsible investment
• Indigenous peoples and local communities’ inclusion in decision-making around land use and management

The agrarian transition

Commercial farming is expanding into natural forest areas, transforming landscapes, creating new economic opportunities and impacting social and environmental dynamics. How can we balance food production, environmental protection, and social equity? Topics will include:

• Agribusiness models and contract farming
• Agroecology for sustainable farming
• Using policy to incentivise results at scale

Policy in action

From high-level ASEAN frameworks to national legislation, how are policies on land and forests being shaped, implemented, and scaled? Topics will include:

• Can policy keep pace with on-the-ground realities?
• What reforms are working, and why?
• How do we ensure communities are at the center of rural development?

For over 10 years, the Mekong Region Land Governance Project (MRLG) and its partners have collaborated with governments and national stakeholders to drive evidence-based policy reforms that put people and forests first. By championing inclusive dialogue and smarter governance, MRLG has helped ensure that vulnerable groups benefit from fairer access to land and natural resources. The 2025 Mekong Regional Land Forum is a key moment to reflect on this journey - and to build stronger alliances among governments, civil society, communities and investors for the road ahead. 

With a global online audience joining the conversation, the Forum extends its reach beyond the region - bringing in fresh perspectives, sharing local lessons on a global stage, and building international momentum for more just and sustainable land systems. 

Find out more and register to participate.

*In person participation is by invite only