key environmental and development trends in the region. From those themes, 10 the research projects emerged within SUMERNET Phase II: Vulnerability assessment of livelihoods in Lower Mekong Basin: Adaptation options for enhancing capacity of people living in the most vulnerable flood-prone areas in Cambodia and Vietnam Making economic integration work for the rural poor through contract farming practices Evaluation of Pilot Program on Payment for Forest Environmental Services in Vietnam and Policy Implication for Laos and Cambodia Trans-boundary Fish Trade in the Lower Mekong Basin: Impacts on Fisheries and Rural Employment in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand Impact of Urban Expansion on the Hinterland and Local Responses in the Mekong Region: A Study in Khon Kaen, Thailand, and Vang Vieng, Lao PDR Research on Integrating Community-based Participatory Carbon Measurement and Monitoring with Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS in a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System for Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation-Plus (REDD+) and Agroforestry Carbon Sequestration Activities Communicating water-related climate change risks to improve local adaptation in the deltas of the Mekong Region Climate change implications to food security and livelihood of small-scale farmers Sustainable urban tourism through low carbon initiatives: Experiences from Hue and Chiang Mai Participatory Social Return on Investment (PSROI): Greater Mekong Basin Climate Change Adaptation Planning and Costing Project These research projects are co-supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN). Phase III (2014–2017) After two implementation phases which generated credible research results, SUMERNET has now established a successful and expanding regional research network with expertise in several policy areas critical to sustainability. Building upon the foundation of SUMERNET – a collaboration among 50 research and policy-making institutions with a strong track record, SUMERNET Phase III will be in a strategic position to inform and influence policy-making in the Mekong Region towards more socially inclusive and gender-responsive sustainable development. In response to shifting knowledge demands and policy debates in the region, SUMERNET Phase III will focus its work on three key issues: Climate-compatible development. The rising energy demand and rapid urbanization that have typically accompanied economic growth in Southeast Asia represent significant challenges and opportunities for climate-compatible development. SUMERNET research is promoting human development while addressing both mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. Regional economic integration. Greater regional economic integration has been promoted widely in the region, most notably as part of the Greater