Comprehensive and sustainable development of the Greater Mekong Subregion

This morning (December 20) in Bangkok, Thailand, the Greater Mekong Subregion Summit (GMS-5) took place with the participation of the Prime Ministers of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, China; the President of Myanmar and the President of the Asian Development Bank.

Leaders of Mekong Sub-region countries attend GMS-5

In his opening speech at the conference, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasized the impressive results in implementing sub-regional cooperation mechanisms through many specific projects, especially in developing transport infrastructure, which has created a breakthrough in transport connectivity, promoting trade and people-to-people exchanges. The Thai Prime Minister said that the GMS needs to focus on maximizing the exploitation of the existing road transport network in conjunction with promoting border areas and border economic zones to strongly develop trade and people-to-people exchanges; continue to improve the essential infrastructure system such as road transport, railways and sea routes; reduce administrative procedures to facilitate trade of goods and people's travel; effectively operate the electricity production and consumption coordination center; Mobilize resources to support investment in the development of the Mekong sub-region from international organizations and financial institutions, and there should be a mechanism to encourage investment resources from the private sector, considering this an important partner for the sustainable development of the GMS.

Prime Minister of host country Thailand Prayut Chanocha speaks

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Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha said: “…We need to promote private investment in this region to create economic development for our countries. I suggest that we need to have mechanisms and create favorable conditions for medium and small enterprises to maximize their business and investment efficiency in the region. Regarding the environment, together we can improve the economic capacity to develop quality and be environmentally friendly, creating a green economic region…”.

In his speech at the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that GMS cooperation over the past two decades has achieved many remarkable results, contributing to promoting socio-economic development in member countries as well as in efforts to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the people. The Prime Minister cited that Vietnam has successfully implemented many important infrastructure development projects such as the Hanoi-Lao Cai expressway project in the North-South economic corridor, the Southern coastal corridor project connecting Ca Mau-Kien Giang and the network of roads and bridges connecting the Mekong Delta.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said: Given the rapid movements of the regional and global economy, together with the emergence of non-traditional challenges and lessons learned from the economic development of member countries in recent times, a new, more comprehensive and flexible approach is required for GMS cooperation. The Prime Minister emphasized: The prosperous, connected and harmonious development of the Mekong Sub-region will only be achieved if the 3C Strategy: connectivity-competition-community is placed within the overall goal of "sustainable and comprehensive development" of the Mekong Sub-region. GMS cooperation also needs to effectively support Mekong countries in the process of transforming their growth models and seeking solutions to common challenges.

In this spirit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated: It is necessary to ensure a balance between the three factors of economy - people - environment in GMS cooperation. Environmental degradation can eliminate achievements in economy and human development; on the contrary, correct socio-economic policies not only help preserve but also promote the potential of nature to serve people. In the process of development, the Mekong Sub-region is facing many major challenges related to the environment, food security, water security, energy security, climate change and natural disasters. A frank and serious recognition of these challenges will help us find appropriate solutions.

In the coming time, GMS needs to firstly promote programs/projects on environment and human development to match activities in economic development areas; secondly, focus on supporting member countries to transition to a green growth model; and thirdly, restore cooperation and share experiences among countries in urban water management, rural water and clean water. Together with the Mekong River Commission (MRC), GMS cooperation - the only mechanism currently involving all Mekong riparian countries - can play an important role in supporting member countries to improve their capacity and closely coordinate in the management and sustainable use of Mekong River water resources.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung speaks at GMS-5

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also stated: Sincerity and genuine cooperation among member countries are indispensable to build the GMS community spirit and build sustainable, long-term relations. Therefore, GMS needs to increase substantive dialogue among members on both opportunities and challenges, similarities and differences to help improve the effectiveness of cooperation in the coming time. In the context of increasing development needs and increasing requirements for resources and technology, the Prime Minister also said that the Mekong Sub-region countries need to form an open cooperation mechanism to take advantage of the strengths of development partners and mobilize more resources for GMS projects. In addition to cooperation between governments, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also hopes that the business sector and young people will actively participate in GMS cooperation, bringing new vitality and playing an increasingly important role for the future of the GMS region.

Emphasizing that the Mekong River is the link between all GMS members, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on all relevant countries to share responsibility in managing and sustainably using water resources and preserving the good values ​​associated with this river, so that the Mekong River will always be a strong connection of friendship and cooperation between the people and riparian countries.

* Within the framework of the 5th GMS Summit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended and spoke at the closed session with clear views on sustainable and comprehensive development as an urgent requirement to preserve development achievements; at the same time, he gave many practical opinions on the direction of cooperation in harmony with nature, harmony with people and harmony among countries in the region.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also proposed many ideas to promote the connection and coordination between GMS and other regional initiatives, especially the process of establishing the ASEAN Community in 2015 as well as viewpoints and methods of mobilizing resources to realize the GMS Regional Investment Framework until 2022...

The conference adopted a Joint Statement and announced the following documents: (i) Implementation Plan of the GMS Regional Investment Framework (RIF) for the period 2014-2018; (ii) Document on the establishment of the Regional Power Coordination Center (RPCC); (iii) Document on the establishment of the GMS Railway Association; (iv) Report on the review of the GMS Transport Strategy (2006-2015). The conference also agreed to hold the 6th GMS Regional Investment Framework in Vietnam in 2017.

* On the same afternoon, before returning home, successfully concluding his trip to attend the 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended the official opening ceremony of the Vietjet-Thailand Joint Venture, and received Chairman of the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association Prachuop Chayasan and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amata Group Vikrom Kromadit.

The Prime Minister also received Chairman of PTT Piyasvasti Amrannand, leaders of CG (Central Group) and visited staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand.

According to VOV