Prime Minister proposes 6 contents for ACMECS to make a breakthrough in the coming period

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the central role of ACMECS in Mekong sub-regional cooperation, as an indispensable component of the ASEAN Community, and a gateway connecting ASEAN with Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the 10th ACMECS Conference. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

According to the VNA special correspondent, on the afternoon of November 7th, in Kunming city, Yunnan province (China), the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, themed "Towards Seamless Connectivity for an Integrated Mekong Subregion," was held with the participation of the heads of government and delegation leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

At the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Chairman of the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the Conference.

At the conference, leaders emphasized the significant contributions of ACMECS cooperation to socio-economic development and improving the lives of people in the Mekong sub-region.

ACMECS also plays a crucial role in narrowing the development gap and promoting connectivity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and in implementing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The leaders welcomed the significant progress in the implementation of the ACMECS Master Plan 2019-2023, particularly in trade and investment cooperation, tourism, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and human resource development.

The leaders also appreciated the positive results of cooperation between ACMECS and its development partners, the establishment of the ACMECS Development Fund and its interim secretariat, and the creation of the cooperation's official logo and website.

The 10th ACMECS Conference in Kunming City, Yunnan Province (China). (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The leaders acknowledged that complex and unpredictable global changes are posing multifaceted challenges to the Mekong sub-region in general and ACMECS cooperation in particular, including economic instability, supply chain disruptions, energy security, water security, climate change, and natural disasters.

To effectively respond to challenges and seize new opportunities, the leaders agreed to persistently promote balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development, strengthen cooperation with other Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and jointly build an ACMECS Community that is "United, Strong, and Sustainable."

ACMECS will continue to promote cooperation in transport connectivity, develop digital infrastructure, and facilitate trade to make the Mekong sub-region a regional logistics hub; while also focusing on developing high-quality human resources, digital transformation, and green transformation.

The content of cooperation on Mekong water resources was highlighted at this conference. Leaders of the five countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the sustainable management of transboundary water resources, especially in coordination with the International Mekong River Commission; sharing hydrological data; and building an early warning system for natural disasters.

The conference adopted a Concept Paper on Water Resource Management in the Mekong Subregion with the aim of strengthening strategic coordination among members in responding to short-term and long-term challenges.

Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the central role of ACMECS in Mekong sub-regional cooperation, as an indispensable component of the ASEAN Community, a gateway connecting ASEAN with Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, and a bridge between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Noting that over more than 20 years of formation and development, ACMECS cooperation has achieved outstanding achievements, contributing to promoting socio-economic development in each member country and implementing the ASEAN Community Vision, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam will continue to participate actively, proactively, and creatively in the development process of ACMECS, striving to build "a strong ACMECS for a united ASEAN, cohesive in diversity and equitable development."

According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the world is entering an era of innovation, opening up new opportunities that are crucial for the development of each country as well as the entire sub-region.

This is the time for ACMECS to define its new mission: to work together to build a united, strong, and sustainably developing community of Mekong countries.

The next phase of ACMECS cooperation needs to embody the spirit of "five commonalities": shared aspirations, shared vision, shared determination, shared voice, and shared action. With this perspective, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed six areas for breakthroughs in ACMECS cooperation in the coming period, including:

First, The mindset should be aligned with action, ensuring seamless progress from strategy formulation to practical implementation. Cooperation plans and programs need to be substantive, focused, and targeted, avoiding a scattered approach. They should closely adhere to the development needs of member states, while also being highly feasible and consistent with the ability to mobilize resources.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced that Vietnam will contribute $10 million to the ACMECS Development Fund.

Second Tradition is intertwined with modernity, ensuring synchronized and harmonious development between traditional economic sectors and new, modern technological fields.

On the one hand, ACMECS needs to support member countries in renewing traditional growth drivers, boosting investment, consumption, and trade. On the other hand, ACMECS needs to promote new growth drivers that help member countries seize new opportunities and participate more deeply in regional and global value chains.

Priority should be given to comprehensive and in-depth digital transformation through mobilizing capital for investment in digital infrastructure and services; supporting startups and innovative businesses; and applying digital technology to the manufacturing, information and communication, finance, banking, digital customs, and smart border gates industries.

Third is Rapid growth coupled with sustainable development focuses on promoting green transformation, building a circular economy, and a sharing economy.

Given the urgent need to address climate change and promote sustainable development in the subregion, ACMECS's top priority is attracting green finance for the development of green industries, clean agriculture, and low-emission transport.

Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation among the five countries in the sustainable management and use of Mekong River water resources; share ideas on promoting cooperation between ACMECS and development partners to transfer technology and enhance capacity in the sustainable use and management of transboundary water resources, especially the ability to share real-time hydrological data.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 10th ACMECS Conference. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged ACMECS members to promote solidarity and political trust, enhance information sharing and consultation on plans and projects related to Mekong River water resources; and strengthen cooperation in disaster management through projects on capacity building, early warning system development among Mekong countries, and the development of resilient infrastructure.

Fourth is To foster regional and international integration, the country needs to facilitate the flow of goods, services, and people between the five countries; promote the simplification and harmonization of procedures; and focus on developing transportation infrastructure to connect the region and inter-regions, especially railway and highway systems.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that the five countries strengthen information sharing and coordination in the process of developing economic development plans and policies to increase mutual complementarity and spread benefits; and persuade development partners to invest together with ACMECS to ensure "seamless connectivity for an integrated Mekong sub-region."

Fifthly, Connecting the government with the people and businesses. With the perspective that resources originate from mindset, motivation from innovation, and strength from the people and businesses, it is proposed that all strategies, action plans, and projects of ACMECS should place the people and businesses at the center, as the subjects, goals, and driving forces, delivering practical, inclusive benefits and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that ministers, senior officials, and the ACMECS Interim Secretariat be tasked with developing the next phase of the ACMECS Master Plan, focusing on inclusiveness with projects for the people, especially in remote areas, and supporting businesses to participate in regional and global supply chains.

Six is The key is to link development with maintaining stability and ensuring security. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that ACMECS strengthen cooperation in combating cross-border crime, especially drug trafficking and cybercrime, preventing criminals from using one country's territory to attack another.

The observations and proposals of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh were highly appreciated by the Conference and reflected in the Conference documents.

At the conclusion of the Conference, the leaders adopted the Vientiane Declaration and witnessed the handover of the ACMECS chairmanship between Laos and Myanmar.

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