Mekong Institute, as a representative from the regional organizations, was highly honored to be invited to the Seminar on China-ASEAN Knowledge Cooperation on Development and the Launching Ceremony for Secretariat of the China-ASEAN Knowledge Network for Development, which took place on-site in Beijing and online, on May 10, 2022. The event was chaired by His Excellency MA Jiantang, Minister of Development Research Center of the State Council, China together with Ambassadors of ASEAN Member States, Mr. Zhao Changwen, President of the Center for International Knowledge for Development (CIKD), and other partners of the Network.

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of Mekong Institute, was welcomed to participate as a speaker in a plenary, together with other dignitaries, to discuss challenges and suggestions of China-ASEAN knowledge cooperation on development.

In his statement, Mr. Suriyan highlighted the importance and contribution of the Network in bridging the knowledge and policy, particularly in executing post COVID-19 recovery measures and the transitions to the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. For a successful Network, he underlined the need to work in greater details on the membership of the Network, including the role, contribution and engagement of the members as well as how the Network platform will be organized, both during the Network fora and its intersessional activities. This is to ensure active engagement of the members and delivery of the Network’s results. 

The goal of the China-ASEAN Knowledge Network for Development is to share development knowledge and development opportunities, promote common development and sustainable development in the region, and provide intellectual support for the “10+1” community of development with a shared future, and it was proposed by Chinese President XI Jinping during the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations held on November 22, 2021, in order to support the establishment of a China-ASEAN Knowledge Network for Development.

The seminar was organized by CIKD, and the organization has taken the secretariat role of the China-ASEAN Knowledge Network for Development, which was officially launched at this event.

The formal establishment of the China-ASEAN Knowledge Network for Development is set to be announced during the ASEAN-China Summit in November 2022.