To harmonize interests and increase cooperation in Mekong sub-region

Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Dr. Pham Lan Dzung delivered the opening speech of the 3rd Mekong International Forum, co-chaired by the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam Foundation, on November 24, 2023. (Source: DAV)

With its rich potential and crucial geostrategic position, the Mekong sub-region has been attracting the attention and involvement of countries inside and outside the region. In that context, strengthening research and exchange, finding solutions to harmonize countries' interests, and improving coordination among Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms are highly urgent.

With a hinged terrain between South Asia and Southeast Asia, adjacent to China and India, connecting the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, and located at the gateway of the Malacca Strait, the Mekong Sub-region always occupies an essential position in the foreign affairs strategy, military and economic policies of the great powers. Currently, the Mekong Sub-region is suffering from many mixed impacts between objective and subjective factors, strongly affecting the geostrategic value of the region.

The Mekong River is one of the largest rivers in the world, with a length of about 4,800km, flowing through 6 countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Mekong subregion is essential in ensuring livelihoods for more than 60 million people living along the river basin.

Possessing rich potential and an important geostrategic position, the Mekong sub-region has been attracting the attention and involvement of countries inside and outside the region, especially large countries. The Mekong sub-region is one of the few sub-regions in the world with a full range of intra-regional 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...

Scholars and researchers attending the 3rd Mekong International Forum co-chaired by the Institute of Diplomatic Strategic Studies, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam Foundation, on September 24 November 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City. (Source: DAV)

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. The cooperative participation of development partners based on harmonizing the needs of the sub-region with the partners' strengths contributes to diversifying resources to serve the socio-economic development of the sub-region.

Besides, cooperation in the Mekong sub-region contributes to ensuring water security, Strengthen response to climate change and non-traditional security threats, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, and improving the quality of life of people in the Mekong River basin significantly when Vietnam's Mekong Delta is most affected by climate change.

In that context, following the success of the 2022 Mekong Forum series, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Vietnam Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation (KAS) co-chaired the organization of the 3rd Mekong International Forum with the theme: "Improving the effectiveness of coordination between Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms towards sustainable development" on 23-24 November 2023, at Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the Organizing Committee, the 3rd Mekong Forum attracted over 150 domestic and international scientists, scholars, researchers, and diplomats, including representatives of several embassies and consulates of countries: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Korea, Japan, Germany, England, France, Switzerland, Australia, USA, Canada, Netherlands... attended.

The 3rd Mekong International Forum was held in a hybrid format, creating favorable conditions for researchers to discuss and contribute ideas. (Source: KAS)

The Forum includes three main sessions, including Session I with the topic "The Importance of the Mekong Subregion in the Process of Changing the Regional and Global Context," moderated by Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, Director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Study (IFPSS) of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Session II with the topic "Perspectives of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam (CLMTV): Opportunities and challenges from Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms" moderated by Mr. Nguyen Minh Cuong, Former Chief economist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Former Director of the Greater Mekong Subregion, Former Head of the Program Coordination Committee, Coordination of the ASEAN Secretariat.

Session III, with the topic: "Prospects for cooperation among Mekong sub-regional mechanisms," was coordinated by Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

According to Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, the Forum has created opportunities for scholars and researchers to continue exchanging and increasing information and knowledge about Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms. At the same time, it is an opportunity to jointly evaluate the current situation and analyze the advantages and challenges in the Mekong sub-region. From there, recommendations can be made to improve the effectiveness of coordination between cooperation mechanisms towards sustainable development in the Mekong sub-region.

"In that context, strengthening forums for research and exchange, finding solutions to harmonize countries' interests, and improving the effectiveness of coordination among Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms is paramount. Urgency... In addition to the efforts of official diplomatic channels, ideas, initiatives, and solutions from experts, scholars, and researchers speaking at the Forum have contributed to supporting implementation. these goals." Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang said.

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