Deputy Ambassador and Head of Thai SOM for Mekong Cooperation Arunrung Phothong Humphreys attended the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Senior Officials Meetingvia videoconference on July 12.
The meeting discussed the progress of Mekong-UK cooperation, especially the UK’s active role and constructive engagement in the sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region through its financial contribution to the Republic of Korea-Mekong Cooperation Fund (MKCF). ).
This contribution has increased each year, going from 1 million US dollars in 2016 to 5 million US dollars in 2022.
The MKCF has supported development cooperation projects of member countries in various areas. As for Thailand, there have been five projects funded by the MKCF, two of which two have been completed and the rest are ongoing.
The Mekong Institute, coordinator of the project, informed the Meeting that it planned to announce the result of the selection of project proposals from member countries for this year’s MKCF funding in September 2022.
The MKCF has supported development cooperation projects of member countries in various areas
The Meeting exchanged views on the future direction of the Mekong, in order to advance the framework in an innovative way and in line with the strength of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the development of human resources, advanced technology and green growth for the shared peace, prosperity and sustainability of the Mekong sub-region and the ROK.
In this regard, the Republic of Korea underlined the importance of the subregion as a powerhouse of the world and the Indo-Pacific region and its readiness to forge a future-oriented partnership with the Mekong countries. In addition, the meeting discussed preparations for the 12th Mekong Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 3rd Mekong-ROK Summit to be held later this year.
Mekong Delta farmers benefit from joining cooperative groups
The Thai head of cooperation in the Mekong highlighted the issues related to the cooperation between the Mekong and the Republic of Korea for the sustainable, safe and inclusive recovery of the subregion after the COVID-19 crisis. Namely comprehensive cooperation on public health, smart agriculture and food security; green growth, development of knowledge and digital literacy, and synergy between Thailand’s BCG economy model and the Republic of Korea’s green policy to maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability; people-to-people connectivity and private sector engagement through the Mekong-Kingdom of Korea Business Forum and Council; and the creation of synergies between the Mekong-Kingdom of Korea and other subregional cooperation frameworks, in particular the ACMECS, which acts as a connector to build bridges and align the strategic interests of the Mekong countries and development partners.
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