Cooperation for the people, towards a safe and sustainable Mekong sub-region

The 9th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting took place on August 16, 2024 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with the participation of member countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Vietnam. Authorized by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the conference.

Strengthening connectivity and elevating Vietnam-Laos economic cooperation

Vietnam actively cooperates to address challenges in the Mekong River basin

At the Conference, the countries assessed that the Mekong-Lancang cooperation has achieved many important results in recent times, contributing to building a peaceful, stable and sustainable Mekong region. The countries welcomed Thailand and China, as Co-Chairs of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Mechanism, for promoting the organization of the 9th Foreign Ministers' Meeting to assess the implementation of the orientations approved by the Leaders of the 6 countries at the Mekong-Lancang Summit in December 2023, and at the same time promoting the implementation of the Mekong-Lancang Action Plan for the period 2023-2027.

The countries welcomed the impressive results of Mekong-Lancang cooperation with nearly 100 projects funded by the Mekong-Lancang Special Fund, bringing practical benefits to people, localities and businesses in many fields such as trade, agriculture, tourism, water resources management, environment, green development, healthcare, poverty reduction and women's empowerment.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Conference.

With the theme “Towards a safer and more sustainable future for the Mekong-Lancang region”, member countries proposed many new ideas to seize opportunities opening up from new development trends in digital transformation, green transformation, scientific and technological advances, and the application of artificial intelligence to serve development.

The countries agreed to promote connectivity through developing rail, road and aviation transport systems, ensuring stable supply chains, promoting smart and sustainable agriculture, enhancing climate change response capacity, minimizing natural disasters, reducing air pollution and preventing cross-border crimes.

In particular, sustainable water resources management continued to be a top priority at the conference; countries affirmed their efforts to effectively implement the Mekong-Lancang Water Resources Cooperation Action Plan for the 2023-2027 period and support Vietnam in organizing the 2nd Mekong-Lancang Water Resources Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in 2025.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed Vietnam's respect for and effective contributions to Mekong-Lancang cooperation. The Deputy Minister also emphasized five outstanding results and contributions of Mekong-Lancang cooperation in recent times, namely a closer coordination mechanism, more effective and substantive cooperation, more expanded cooperation areas, deeper participation of social components, and bringing more practical benefits to the people.

Member countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Vietnam attended the conference.

To realize the development vision approved by the Mekong-Lancang leaders, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang made a number of important proposals:

First, a modern and developed Mekong-Lancang region must be based on ensuring trade, investment and seamless connectivity among member countries. Vietnam proposes that the Mekong-Lancang cooperate to expand markets, strengthen sustainable supply chains and connect transport infrastructure. The Mekong-Lancang needs to prioritize improving science and technology capacity and innovation through effectively implementing the Mekong-Lancang Innovation Corridor.

Second, to build a green, sustainable and inclusive Mekong-Lancang region, Mekong-Lancang countries need to coordinate closely in managing and using natural resources and responding to climate change. Vietnam supports the Initiative on Further Strengthening Mekong-Lancang Cooperation on Water Resources and proposes that countries enhance cooperation in flood and drought management, sharing hydrological data, conducting joint research, and considering organizing the Mekong-Lancang Water Day to raise awareness about the management, use and sustainable protection of Mekong-Lancang water resources.

Third, the Mekong-Lancang cooperation needs to continue to contribute to promoting friendly neighborly relations and deep ties between the people of the six countries, while continuing to promote a people-centered approach. This needs to be the foundation for the development of the Mekong-Lancang in the next phase. Accordingly, towards the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Mekong-Lancang cooperation mechanism in 2025, Vietnam proposes to further strengthen and diversify people-to-people exchanges, youth exchanges, local and business connections, and seek new cooperation ideas from the young generation of the six countries.

Vietnam's proposals and contributions have been recognized, highly appreciated by other countries and included in documents on the direction of Mekong-Lancang cooperation in the coming time.

The 9th Mekong-Lancang Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was a great success. The meeting issued a joint press release and adopted three new initiatives on enhancing cooperation in water resources management, building a clean air environment, and preventing cross-border crimes.

The countries agreed that the 10th Mekong-Lancang Ministerial Meeting will be held in China in 2025 to continue promoting Mekong-Lancang cooperation, contributing to peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development of the region.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hop-tac-vi-nguoi-dan-huong-den-mot-tieu-vung-me-cong-an-toan-va-ben-vung-203616.html