The project will involve establishment of the Mekong-Korea Biodiversity Center in Myanmar, and formulation of a cooperation framework among the Mekong countries (ie, Cambodia, Loas, Vietnam and Thailand).

The biodiversity center aims to contribute to biodiversity conservation in the Mekong region and sustainable utilization of biological resources in a fair and equitable way for mutual cooperation among the Mekong countries. It will facilitate research and sharing of information on the practical uses of biological resources, and explore ways to harness said resources as new bioindustry growth engines.

This project will also facilitate capacity building of biodiversity researchers and research assistants. Professional researchers from various countries will be able to participate in joint biodiversity research projects in the Mekong region. The National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) from the Republic of the Korea has been running long-term joint research projects on biodiversity and discovering useful genetic resources in the Mekong countries. Researchers from Korea participating in biodiversity joint research projects with Mekong countries will continuously assist in capacity building and biodiversity information database management.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Conservation of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar will supervise this project. Grants from international organizations and donor agencies will fund the operation of the Mekong-Korea Biodiversity Center as well as the conduct of biodiversity research projects.