On June 17, 2025, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of the Mekong Institute (MI), met with Mr. Zhang Mianrong, President of the Energy Development and Research Institute (EDRI), China Southern Power Grid (CSG), in Guangzhou. The two sides engaged in an in-depth discussion and signed a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen joint efforts in clean energy transition and regional power connectivity.
Mr. Suriyan highlighted that energy and electricity are among MI’s top three priority areas. As a regular observer of the Lancang-Mekong Power Utility Summit, MI aims to deepen its collaboration with CSG and other partners across the LM region in the energy sector. Over the years, the summit has focused on three major themes: accelerating the clean energy transition, enhancing cross-border interconnection, and developing a regional power market. While notable progress has been made, significant challenges remain.
“We look forward to working with EDRI to identify policy and implementation gaps through joint research and to provide recommendations that can help advance these agendas,” Mr. Suriyan stated.
He also recalled that in 2023, MI and EDRI discussed the importance of enhancing collaboration among energy research and development institutions in the Lancang-Mekong region. Building on this shared vision, the two organizations co-hosted a regional forum in February 2024, during which the concept of establishing a Network for Energy Research and Development Cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong Region (NERD) was jointly proposed.
“Through this platform, we envision conducting studies, compiling evidence and knowledge, and supporting LM countries in addressing the three strategic energy topics. With the signing of this MoU, we hope to formally launch our partnership with EDRI and work together to shape and promote the NERD initiative,” he added.
Mr. Zhang Mianrong expressed support for the joint proposal to establish NERD, emphasizing its potential to serve as a collaborative platform for think tanks as well as research and development institutions across the region. He underscored the importance of organizing the Lancang-Mekong Clean Energy Forum to share research findings and perspectives, and to strengthen academic and research cooperation between EDRI and universities and think tanks in the Mekong countries. He also welcomed opportunities for joint research and co-applications for both domestic and international energy-related projects.
