Mekong 2025 Forum: Building sustainable partnerships for a shared future
WVR - On September 26, the Mekong International Forum 2025, themed “Building Sustainable Partnerships for the Future of the Mekong Subregion”, successfully took place in Hanoi.
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| Dr. Nguyen Hùng Son, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam emphasized that the Mekong River is not only the “lifeline” for over 700 million people but also the foundation of the region's culture, history, and identity. |
The forum, co-hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), gathered over 20 esteemed international scholars and experts, along with more than 100 delegates from ministries, universities, research institutes, diplomatic agencies, and international organizations in Vietnam.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Hung Sơn, President of the Diplomatic Academy, highlighted that the Mekong River is not only the “lifeline” for over 700 million people but also the foundation of the region's culture, history, and identity. Recently, cooperation mechanisms and support from international partners have played a crucial role in helping the Mekong subregion countries address intertwined challenges, develop socio-economically, and improve people's livelihoods.
However, strategic competition and policy adjustments by major countries are having a profound, multidimensional impact on cooperation activities in the Mekong subregion. In this context, Dr. Son affirmed that the Mekong International Forum is an opportunity for Mekong subregion countries and their partners to reflect on past achievements and share visions for a prosperous future of the subregion.
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| Mr. Simon Kreye, Deputy Chief of Mission of German Embassy in Vietnam, affirmed the strategic importance of the Mekong to Germany and Europe. |
Sharing his views with Dr. Son, Mr. Simon Kreye, Deputy Chief of Mission of German Embassy in Vietnam, affirmed the strategic importance of the Mekong to Germany and Europe. Mr. Kreye highly valued the role of Mekong subregion cooperation and emphasized that promoting dialogue, building trust, and expanding joint initiatives will help the Mekong respond more effectively to challenges in the new context.
In the morning session, delegates focused on assessing major trends impacting the subregion. Many opinions suggested that the Mekong is facing “headwinds” from strategic competition, economic fragmentation, and the trend of declining global development funding.
Nevertheless, international partners remain optimistic about cooperation prospects, reaffirming their commitment to continue accompanying the Mekong subregion. They also stressed the need to innovate approaches, enhance complementarity, and strengthen connections between mechanisms within and outside the region, expanding the cooperation space for the subregion.
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| Ms. Nguyễn Hương Trà, Acting Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies at the Diplomatic Academy, speaking at the Forum. |
In the afternoon, the Forum focused on discussing the aspirations and expectations of Mekong subregion countries towards international partners. The majority of opinions welcomed the diverse participation of many partners based on trust, transparency, and respect for the independence and autonomy of subregion countries.
Regarding Mekong cooperation orientation in the new context, many opinions emphasized that the Mekong needs to strive to build solidarity and consensus to achieve a common vision. The role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in connectivity and the education of the younger generation in the countries was highlighted. A cohesive Mekong subregion with a unified voice will create an attractive force to engage partners.
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| Speakers and experts attending the Forum. |
Through the Mekong International Forum 2025, it can be affirmed that the Mekong subregion continues to be a dynamic development area with abundant potential and significant geopolitical and geostrategic value, attracting the attention of international friends and partners.
Some images from the event
