The 3rd Mekong International Forum: For a more sustainable future in Sub-region

The Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Dr. Pham Lan Dung, emphasized that the Mekong River is vital for sub-regional countries and globally.

The Forum was held in a hybrid format, with the participation of nearly 150 delegates, including domestic and international experts and scholars; representatives of embassies and consulates general; representatives of international organizations, research institutes, departments of Ho Chi Minh City, and several provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

In her opening remarks, Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam Dr. Pham Lan Dung emphasized that the Mekong River plays an important role not only for sub-regional countries but also globally. The Mekong River is the source of life for over 60 million people in its basin, providing about a quarter of freshwater fish and 15% of global rice production...

Mr. Florian C. Feyerabend, representative from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Vietnam (KAS), gave a speech at the Forum.

With rich potential and an important geostrategic location, the Mekong River has been attracting the attention of countries inside and outside the region, especially developed countries. The Mekong sub-region has become one of the few sub-regions in the world with complete internal cooperation mechanisms and cooperation mechanisms with many external partners.

These mechanisms contribute to forming transportation axes, connection corridors, and economic links, creating more resources for sustainable socio-economic development. However, some areas of cooperation overlap and are ineffective due to the lack of a coordinating role and coordination between mechanisms.

Countries are aware of the problem, but it isn't easy to fundamentally solve it due to differences in interests between development partners, Mekong countries and partners, and Mekong countries among themselves. In that context, strengthening research and exchange, finding solutions to harmonize nations' interests, and improving coordination between cooperation mechanisms are urgent.

Delegates participated in the 3rd Mekong International Forum.

Dr. Pham Lan Dung said that in addition to the efforts of official diplomatic channels, ideas, initiatives, and solutions from experts and scholars will support implementing these goals. Inter-institutional cooperation, collective action, knowledge sharing, and policy coordination are the keys to promoting cooperation towards a sustainable future of the Mekong sub-region…

For his part, Mr. Florian C. Feyerabend from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Vietnam (KAS) noted that the Mekong sub-region is known not only for its stunning landscape but also because of its economic strength, including Vietnam's Mekong Delta...

However, according to Mr. Florian, the Mekong Delta is one of the regions most heavily affected by climate change, including Rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, drought, floods, and extreme weather events... Therefore, sub-regional countries need to have everyday awareness, a familiar voice, and efforts to develop solutions to resolve these challenges. To have practical solutions, it is essential to understand the strengths and weaknesses and the development potential of sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

Delegates noted that the Mekong River has been attracting attention of countries inside and outside the region.

Stating that supporting the region's sustainable development is one of KAS's goals, Mr. Florian believes that the best and most effective solutions can only be obtained through sharing and exchanging information, knowledge, and experience of experts, scientists, and policymakers. The KAS representative expressed that sub-regional countries must work together to find solutions to promote the cooperation mechanism's combined strength and sustainable growth.

The Mekong International Forum consists of 3 sessions. Session 1 focused on clarifying the importance of the Mekong subregion in the context of regional and global fluctuations. At Session 2, speakers presented the views of ASEAN, the Mekong River Commission (MRC), and Mekong sub-region countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) on the advantages and difficulties in cooperation. In session 3, scenarios on the prospects for collaboration between Mekong sub-regional mechanisms were the main content mentioned and discussed by scholars and researchers.

The 3rd Mekong International Forum is an activity that continues the success of the Mekong Forum series 1 and 2 organized in 2022.

The 3rd Mekong International Forum is an activity that continues the success of the Mekong Forum series 1 and 2 organized by the Institute of Diplomatic Strategic Studies, Vietnam Diplomatic Academy in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam Foundation organized in 2022.

Mekong Connect 2023 Forum towards a green and sustainable economy The Mekong Connect 2023 Forum is expected to become an annual public-private economic dialogue within its links with provinces and cities in the delta and ...

Vietnam attends 6th ICAPP Media Forum A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) joined more than 30 other delegations of political parties and media agencies from the 15 member ...

The Mekong International Forum is about to take place in Ho Chi Minh City WVR - With its rich potential and important geostrategic position, the Mekong is one of the few sub-regions in the world with full intra-regional cooperation ...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrives in Laos for 4th MRC Summit WVR/VNA - On April 4 evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking Government delegation of Vietnam arrived at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, ...

'Leverage' for international waterway transport development Vietnam’s rivers and coastal routes connect with those in neighbouring countries, opening up opportunities for cross-border waterway transport cooperation and socio-economic benefits for the countries.