MLC leaders laud progress
PRIME Minister Hun Manet expressed his satisfaction with the progress made under the Mekong-Lancang framework. Through the framework, 89 projects have been implemented in Cambodia under the MLC Special Fund since 2017, producing “substantial outcomes”.
Manet attended the Fourth Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Leaders’ Meeting on December 25, held with the theme of “Joining Hands on the Building of a Community of Shared Future and Modernization among Mekong-Lancang Countries”.
The virtual meeting was co-chaired by Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council of Myanmar, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Also in attendance were Prime Minister of Lao Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
“On future directions, he [Manet] underscored the importance of building a closer community with a shared future among MLC countries,” said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation press release on the outcome of the meeting.
Manet said such a vision could be achieved by supporting the peoplecentered Economic Development Belt, as well as by strengthening sub-regional supply chains and linkages to global value chains, through enhanced regional connectivity and industrial cooperation.
He added that bolstering the digital economy in cross-border economic cooperation and the longterm competitiveness of the region will also contribute to the vision.
During the meeting, the MLC leaders expressed their satisfaction with progress under the cooperation framework, especially the achievements over the last seven years that “brought tangible outcomes and benefits across multiple sectors by effectively implementing
the 5-Year Plan of Action on MLC (2018-2022)”.
According to the ministry release, more than 700 projects have been implemented with the support of the MLC Special Fund. The projects were in the fields of water management, agriculture, capacity building, poverty reduction, health, women’s empowerment, culture and religion, among others.
“The leaders welcomed the projects approved by the MLC Special Fund in 2023 and called for more efficient implementation of these projects to better serve economic and social development and help improve people’s livelihoods in the six member countries,” it said.
“They expressed strong commitment to building a better community of shared peace and prosperity among Mekong-Lancang countries in the face of rapidly accelerating global changes and unprecedented challenges,” it added.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address common challenges, while agreeing to advance a people-centered LancangMekong Economic Development Belt.
During the meeting, Manet conveyed his condolences to Li Qiang, the government and the people of China, as well as the bereaved families for the loss of their loved ones and damage caused by a recent earthquake in Gansu Province.
Seng Vanly, a lecturer in international relations, noted the progress of the MLC framework, particularly in infrastructure, trade, investment, tourism, and water management on the Mekong River.
He cautioned concerns remain about geological contests in the Mekong region as China is increasing its influence on the region, which is strategically important for geopolitics, economic and natural resources. This required the member countries to seek a balance by approaching the US, Japan and Australia, among others.
Thong Mengdavid, a research supervisor at the Asian Vision Institute, said that there is a need to promote regional cooperation integration, amid the fragile security situation in the region.
“People-to-people exchanges are important to push for transborder connections. Also important is cooperation to combat online gambling and internet scams,” Mengdavid said, while agreeing with Vanly on the need for balance in the region.