Vietnam proposes 4 contents at the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Senior Diplomats' Meeting

On the afternoon of August 1, 2022, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Senior Diplomatic Officials' Meeting took place with the participation of India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The conference highly appreciated the positive contributions of the MGC framework to peace, development and prosperity in the region, especially when member countries are facing many intertwined and multi-dimensional challenges.

MGC member countries have implemented many projects and capacity building programs in many areas such as public health and response to the Covid-19 pandemic, trade and investment facilitation, enhancing connectivity, human resource training, cultural heritage preservation and livelihood support.

The meeting discussed priority areas to accelerate the implementation of the MGC Action Plan for 2019-2022 after being disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. First of all, strengthening East-West connectivity, especially expanding the India-Myanmar-Thailand Expressway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Senior Officials Meeting. Photo: BNG The second priority is to develop human resources in information technology, digital transformation and innovation, and advanced science . In the context of the complicated developments of the pandemic, health security continues to be a priority area for countries, focusing on improving the public health system, researching and developing vaccines, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. In addition, countries proposed to enhance mutual understanding among people of MGC countries through cultural, tourism, media, sports and human resource development activities.

The Vietnamese delegation proposed MGC cooperation in the post-pandemic period, focusing on four groups of issues. The focus is on economic recovery, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the global supply chain. The next priority is digital transformation, focusing on developing information technology infrastructure, thereby developing smart tourism.

Third, strengthening public health capacity, ensuring equitable and sustainable access to vaccines, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. Fourth, sharing information and experience in sustainable water resource management, especially effective and equitable management of transboundary rivers, and early warning of natural disasters.

Also on August 1, 2022, in the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a meeting of ASEAN senior officials (SOM) took place to prepare for the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-55) and related meetings. Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of Vietnam's ASEAN SOM, attended the meeting.

The meeting thoroughly discussed and agreed on the agenda and activities of the Foreign Ministers' Meetings. This AMM meeting is of great significance, not only as the largest and most important Foreign Ministers' meeting of the year, but also as the first time that ASEAN Foreign Ministers and nearly 20 partners met in person in the region after 3 years of interruption due to Covid-19.

ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) in preparation for the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-55) and related meetings. Photo: BNG

Over the next four days, ASEAN Foreign Ministers and partners will attend more than 20 activities within the framework of ASEAN, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), discussing the process of building the ASEAN Community, developing orientations for the development of the ASEAN Community after 2025, reviewing and orienting relations between ASEAN and partners, and exchanging views on the international and regional situation.

The ASEAN SOM Leaders also reviewed the progress of negotiations and drafted documents expected to be submitted to the Foreign Ministers, including the AMM-55 Joint Communiqué, the Action Plan to Enhance the Implementation of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, and updated reports on the implementation of the action plan for cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.

At the meeting, the countries also discussed ASEAN's priorities in 2022, affirmed their commitment to supporting the Cambodian Chair in successfully implementing the set priorities, updated the cooperation situation between ASEAN and its partners, and discussed a number of regional and international issues.

On August 2, 2022, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will begin the first activities within the framework of AMM-55 and related conferences, including the Meeting of the Commission of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and the Dialogue between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

Bao Anh

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