Bangkok, March 27, 2026 – The Mekong Institute (MI) successfully convened an Information Sharing Session on the Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together a total of 167 participants, including 32 attending in person and 135 joining online.

The session gathered a broad range of stakeholders from government agencies, development organizations, and academic institutions, demonstrating sustained interest in the MKCF and its role in advancing regional cooperation and development. Notably, Mr. Nam Hyuk Kim, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, also participated in person.

In addition, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand joined the session online, including Mr. Thanasak Saman, First Secretary, Ms. Tidapa Sitikhonpibulaya, First Secretary, and Ms. Laksanaree Insrikrai, Third Secretary from the Department of International Economic Affairs.
The event commenced with brief opening remarks by Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, Director of MKCF, who highlighted the strong and growing interest among development partners to engage with the Fund.

Mr. Dutta subsequently delivered a comprehensive presentation on the MKCF, outlining its objectives, priority areas, and strategic role in strengthening cooperation between Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea. He also provided detailed guidance on the Expression of Interest (EoI) application process, including key requirements, evaluation criteria, and procedural steps for prospective applicants.

The session contributed to enhancing participants’ understanding of the MKCF and encouraged the development of high-quality, collaborative project proposals that incorporate innovative approaches and are aligned with regional priorities.

Participants engaged actively in discussions and the subsequent Q&A session, reflecting strong interest in the forthcoming call for proposals and opportunities for partnership under the MKCF framework.

MI will continue to convene similar sessions across the Mekong region to facilitate informed participation and support the effective implementation of the MKCF program.

For more information, please contact:
Mekong Institute
Email: [email protected]