Mekong Institute and AMEICC Secretariat Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Boost Regional Cooperation

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Mekong Institute and AMEICC Secretariat Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Boost Regional Cooperation

Mekong Institute and AMEICC Secretariat Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Boost Regional Cooperation

August 22, 2025

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – August 22, 2025 – The Mekong Institute (MI) and the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC) Secretariat are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a cooperative framework aimed at promoting technical cooperation, capacity building, and sustainable development initiatives in the Mekong Subregion and beyond.

This MoU, signed by Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of the Mekong Institute, and Mr. Masayoshi Tamura, Chief Representative of the AMEICC Secretariat, formalizes a partnership built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional development.

Driving Sustainable Economic Growth

The collaboration between AMEICC Secretariat and MI will focus on key areas to strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Mekong region. Both organizations will pool their expertise and resources to develop and implement projects and programs that address critical economic development issues.

The partnership’s key focus areas include:

Supply Chain Advancement and Resilience: Building on the existing Mekong Sustain project, the Parties will explore initiatives to create a robust and resilient supply chain ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth.
Mekong Corridor Development: The organizations may collaborate on assessing infrastructure needs, identifying trade opportunities, and maximizing economic benefits along the West-East Corridor.
Co-creation Projects: The Parties intend to launch joint projects designed to address key issues in the Mekong Subregion through collaborative efforts among various stakeholders.
Regional Convenings and Dialogues: The partnership may initiate conferences and dialogues, such as the Mekong Forum, to bring together stakeholders for discussions on regional development and policy issues.
Capacity Building and Expertise Exchange: The organizations may develop programs to train and deploy technical experts, researchers, and interns in support of development goals.
Publications: The Parties may collaborate on joint research and publications to share findings, provide recommendations, and highlight best practices.

A Shared Vision for the Future

“This MoU marks a significant step forward in our mission to deepen regional cooperation,” said Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn. “By combining our strengths with the AMEICC Secretariat, we can better serve our beneficiaries, including industrial associations, business chambers, and SMEs, and contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Greater Mekong Subregion.”

Mr. Masayoshi Tamura also expressed optimism about the partnership. “We are excited to work closely with the Mekong Institute. This collaboration will enhance industrial cooperation, improve competitiveness, and provide development assistance to our member countries, ultimately strengthening the bond between ASEAN and Japan.”

While the MoU does not create any legal or financial commitments, it serves as a statement of intent to guide future cooperation. Any activity requiring financial or legal responsibility will be subject to separate agreements. The MoU will remain in effect for five years and can be renewed by mutual written agreement.

About the Mekong Institute (MI) Founded in 1996, the Mekong Institute is an inter-governmental organization jointly represented by Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and China. Its mission is to deepen regional cooperation and integration through capacity development, dialogue, and advocacy to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

About the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC) Secretariat The AMEICC Secretariat is the operating arm for AMEICC, a platform established in 1998 for policy consultations between ASEAN and Japan. AMEICC aims to enhance industrial cooperation, improve competitiveness, and provide development assistance to member countries through Ministerial-level consultations, sectoral working groups, and ASEAN-Japan cooperative projects.

Contacts

Mekong Institute