SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
The former SEAFDEC Secretary-General, Ms. Malinee Smithrithee, extended a warm welcome to the Deputy Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development/Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA), Ms. Linda McElroy, along with other USAID/RDMA officers on 19 September 2023 at the SEAFDEC Secretariat in Bangkok, Thailand.
In her message, Ms. McElroy congratulated the SEAFDEC Secretary-General for her outstanding leadership and guidance over the years that significantly strengthened the partnership between SEAFDEC and the U.S. Government. She also conveyed her appreciation to all SEAFDEC staff for their dedication and active participation in various collaborative initiatives. She specifically acknowledged the important role of SEAFDEC in the successful implementation of the Sustainable Fish Asia (SUFIA) Local Capacity Development (LCD) Activity that enhanced the Center’s organizational capabilities as a public international organization in accordance with USAID requirements. Furthermore, Ms. McElroy highlighted the fruitful collaboration between SEAFDEC and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) under the project “Implementing the Lower Mekong Fish Passage Initiative in Cambodia, Thailand, and Viet Nam.” She concluded by expressing her congratulations on the commencement of the new five-year project “Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership Activity” effective from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2028.
In response, Ms. Malinee expressed her appreciation to the U.S. Government and the USAID/RDMA for their continuous support to SEAFDEC and its Member Countries. This support has played a crucial role in advancing the cause of sustainability in the fisheries sector of Southeast Asia. Additionally, she extended an invitation to the USAID/RDMA to visit the facilities of the SEAFDEC Training Department and explore potential collaborations related to promoting fish passages in Southeast Asia and harnessing the capabilities of the M.V. SEAFDEC 2.
