Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 23, 2025 — The Mekong Institute (MI) and the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reaffirm their commitment to collaborative efforts in joint policy research and capacity development for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

The signing ceremony took place at CDRI’s office in Phnom Penh, where MI Executive Director Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn and members of the MI team were warmly welcomed by CDRI Executive Director Dr. Eng Netra and colleagues from the institute.

Titled “Cooperation and Partnership in Joint Policy Research and Capacity Development,” the MOU sets out a strategic framework for cooperation between the two institutions. It focuses on shared priority areas, including regional economic integration, trade, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and educational innovation.

The agreement outlines several key areas of collaboration: the exchange of researchers and technical expertise, joint research initiatives and publications, co-organization of seminars and policy dialogues, and the sharing of academic resources and data.

Following the signing, both parties engaged in a productive discussion to outline concrete next steps. A key focus was identifying opportunities for collaboration in the lead-up to the Mekong Forum 2025, which will serve as a strategic platform to promote dialogue on regional policy priorities.

MI regards CDRI as a strategic partner in Cambodia in advancing regional cooperation and integration across the GMS. This collaboration aligns with MI’s broader mission to strengthen regional networks with leading academic and policy institutions in support of evidence-based decision-making and institutional capacity building.

“The signing of this MOU marks an important milestone for both MI and CDRI,” said Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn. “By leveraging our comparative strengths, we aim to deliver impactful policy insights and build capacity that supports sustainable and inclusive development across the GMS.”

Dr. Eng Netra reaffirmed CDRI’s strong commitment to the partnership, emphasizing its alignment with the institute’s strategic goals and its potential to enhance regional collaboration in addressing shared development challenges.

About Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI)

The Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) is Cambodia’s leading independent development policy research institute. Established in 1990, CDRI is dedicated to producing high-quality, objective, and policy-relevant research to inform sustainable development strategies. The institute focuses on five interrelated areas: agriculture and rural development; development economics and trade; educational research and innovation; natural resources and environment; and governance and inclusive society. Through partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and development organizations, CDRI aims to contribute to evidence-based policymaking and capacity building in Cambodia and the GMS.

For more information, visit www.cdri.org.kh.