Vietnam endorses an initiative to further strengthen Mekong-Lancang cooperation on water resources, underlining the need for intensified collaboration in flood and drought management, sharing hydrological data, and conducting joint studies, a Vietnamese diplomat said at the 9th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Thailand on Friday.

The meeting, themed ‘Towards a Safer and Cleaner Mekong-Lancang Community,' gathered representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, China, and Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang, who led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the meeting, made several key proposals during her speech at the event.

She stated that a modern and developed Mekong-Lancang region must be built on seamless trade, investment, and connectivity among the MLC member countries.

The countries should expand markets, develop sustainable supply chains, and promote transport infrastructure connectivity, while paying much more attention to enhancing scientific and technological capabilities and boosting innovation by effectively implementing the Mekong-Lancang Innovation Corridor.

They also need to closely cooperate in the management and use of natural resources, as well as in climate change adaptation so as to build a green, sustainable, and inclusive Mekong-Lancang region.

Vietnam suggested that the countries consider organizing Mekong-Lancang Water Day to raise awareness about the sustainable management, use, and protection of water resources in the region.

Mekong-Lancang Cooperation should continue to bolster friendly and neighborly relations among the people of the six countries, while promoting a people-centered approach.

Aside from these propositions, the deputy minister highlighted Vietnam’s significant contributions to Mekong-Lancang Cooperation.

Regarding the upcoming 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation mechanism in 2025, Vietnam proposed strengthening and diversifying people-to-people and youth exchanges, as well as connections between localities and businesses, and seeking new cooperation initiatives from the six member countries’ young generation.

Vietnam's proposals and contributions were acknowledged and appreciated by other countries and were incorporated into the documents outlining the future plans for Mekong-Lancang Cooperation.

The member countries agreed to enhance connectivity by developing rail, road, and air transport systems, ensure stable supply chains, promote smart and sustainable agriculture, strengthen climate change resilience, mitigate natural disasters, reduce air pollution, and combat cross-border crimes. 

Notably, sustainable water management remained a top priority at the meeting. 

The countries reaffirmed their commitments to effectively implement the action plan and backed Vietnam's proposal to host the 2nd Mekong-Lancang Ministers' Meeting on water resource cooperation in 2025. 

The meeting issued a joint press release and statements on deepening the Mekong-Lancang cooperation on water resource management, building a clean environment, and combating cross-border crimes.

The 10th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held in China in 2025.

The Mekong River, also known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway passing through China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The six countries launched the MLC mechanism in March 2016.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!