Mekong subregion cooperation to manage transboundary water resource

At the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, on the afternoon of November 7, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit in Yunnan Province, China.

The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, named after the three principal rivers in the Mekong River basin, is an economic cooperation framework encompassing Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its goals are to foster multilateral and bilateral economic cooperation, leverage regional and national comparative advantages, enhance competitiveness, and reduce development gaps.

Cooperation on Mekong water resources was a focal point at the summit. Leaders of the five member countries agreed to strengthen efforts in the sustainable management of transboundary water resources, with particular emphasis on coordination with the Mekong River Commission, sharing hydrological data, and establishing an early warning system for natural disasters. A concept document on water resource management in the Mekong subregion was also adopted, aimed at enhancing strategic coordination among members in addressing both immediate and long-term challenges.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored ACMECS's pivotal role in Mekong subregional cooperation, describing it as an essential component of the ASEAN Community, a gateway linking ASEAN with Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, and a bridge connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The Prime Minister noted that the world is entering an era of innovation, presenting critical opportunities for development, not only for individual nations but for the entire subregion. With this perspective, he outlined six key areas of focus for ACMECS cooperation to drive transformative progress in the coming period.

First, he emphasized the importance of aligning actions and ensuring smooth transition from strategy to implementation. To support this vision, he announced Vietnam’s commitment of $10 million to the ACMECS Development Fund.

Second, he highlighted the need to balance tradition with modernity, ensuring the synchronized and harmonious development of both traditional economic sectors and emerging technology-driven industries.

Third, he underscored the importance of linking rapid growth with sustainability by promoting green transformation, building a circular economy, and encouraging a sharing economy model.

Fourth, he called for strengthening connectivity within the region and with the global market, to ease the flow of goods, services, and people among the five countries. The Prime Minister recommended that the member states enhance information sharing and coordinate closely in developing economic policies and plans.

Fifth, he advocated for connecting government with people and businesses, with a focus on inclusivity. This includes projects aimed at benefiting communities, especially in remote areas, as well as supporting businesses to participate in regional and global supply chains.

Sixth, he stressed the importance of linking development with stability and security, proposing that ACMECS deepen its cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, particularly drug and cyber crimes, and prevent criminals from using one country’s territory as a base for activities against another.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals received strong endorsement from the conference, and they were incorporated into the summit’s official documents.

At the conclusion of the conference, the leaders adopted the Vientiane Declaration and witnessed the transfer of the ACMECS Chairmanship from Laos to Myanmar.