Vietnam attends Mekong-Japan and Mekong-RoK foreign ministers’ meetings in Laos

The MJC 15 marked 15 years of the formation of the Mekong-Japan cooperation mechanism. This meeting approved the Mekong-Japan Cooperation Strategy 2024 with cooperation orientations in the next five years.

In his speech to the MJC 15, Deputy FM Viet proposed solutions to implement three pillars of the MJC cooperation strategy for the new period. First, it is necessary to promote a connected society by developing transportation and logistics networks along the East-West Economic Corridor and the South Economic Corridor, focusing on high-quality infrastructure projects that connect seaports, border gates and economic centers, build sustainable supply chains and support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to join the global supply chain.

Secondly, digitalisation should focus on developing digital infrastructure, high-quality digital workforce, supporting SMEs in digital transformation and applying advanced technology in industry.

Third, effective cooperation is needed in managing transboundary water resources, ensuring food and energy security, mitigating natural disasters and tackling climate change.

At MKC 12, the Mekong countries appreciated the Republic of Korea’s commitment to gradually increase support to the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), with a view to reaching an annual contribution of USD 10 million by 2027.

Deputy FM Viet has put forward several cooperation priorities in the coming period to enhance the cooperation potential within the framework of the MKC. The first is to promote green growth by mobilizing financing sources for projects in the areas of clean energy transition, carbon emission reduction, smart agriculture, climate change response and investment in infrastructure development, and to strengthen cooperation between the Mekong River Commission and the Mekong-Korea Water Centre.

Secondly, it is about accelerating the digital transformation process in the Mekong subregion, along with strengthening cooperation in e-commerce, developing digital technology and implementing the Mekong-Korea Digital Forum. Thirdly, it is about developing human resources for digital transformation and green transition, retraining projects and upgrading skills for the workforce in the subregion.