United States launches SERVIR-Southeast Asia, a USAID-NASA initiative to fight climate change

Press Release

Chonburi, 24 January 2023 : The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec and Dr. Karen M. St. Germain, Earth Science Division Director at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), launched the SERVIR-Southeast Asia program – a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and NASA – to help communities across Southeast Asia adapt to regional and transboundary climate issues and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“This new venture expands the program’s geographic focus and deepens our engagement with regional institutions to accelerate climate resilience,” said Ambassador Godec. “SERVIR-Southeast Asia will go a long way to ensure that communities and businesses throughout Thailand and across ASEAN are not only resilient to the impacts of climate change, but prosper in spite of these challenges.”

SERVIR-Southeast Asia is one of five global hubs under SERVIR. The program builds on the successes of SERVIR-Mekong in using publicly available satellite technologies to support regional institutions, governments, and communities as they address climate-related challenges, including disaster preparedness and response, food security, water resource and land management, and air pollution. From 2014 to 2022, SERVIR-Mekong developed 21 decision support tools, trained over 1,500 people, mobilized $500,000 of additional investment, and influenced the adoption of four policies to ensure that the 250 million residents of the Lower Mekong Region are better prepared to respond to the impacts of climate change.

At the event, Ambassador Godec and Dr. St. Germain, together with Hans Guttman, Executive Director of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), also engaged with high school students from nearby communities to raise awareness about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities and the use of space technologies among youth and other underrepresented groups. The event, held at the Space Inspirium–Thailand’s first space museum and part of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA)–
included a tour of a SERVIR-Mekong exhibit.

ADPC, in partnership with key regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong River Commission, is implementing SERVIR-Southeast Asia, which advances the U.S. government’s commitment to a connected, resilient and sustainable Indo-Pacific.

About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. Please visit www.usaid.gov/asia-regional or @USAIDAsia on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

About NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is America’s civil space program and the global leader in space exploration. The agency has a diverse workforce of civil servants, U.S. contractors, academia, and international and commercial partners to explore, discover, and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity. NASA studies Earth, including its climate, our Sun, and our solar system and beyond. The agency develops and funds space technologies and shares what it learns so that its information can make life better for people worldwide. Learn more at nasa.gov.