MEKONG-KOREA REGIONAL FORUM REAFFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOSER PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

Agricultural Development and Commercialization ,Trade and Investment Facilitation ,Sustainable Energy and Environment ,Digital Economy and Digitalization

WRITTEN BY MEKONG INSTITUTE'S TRADE AND INVESTMENT FACILITATION DEPARTMENT

The Mekong–Republic of Korea (ROK) is in a unique position to address challenges arising out of COVID-19 pandemic since it has put emphasis on people-centered partnership as its core value in tandem with peace and prosperity of the sub-region.

Organized by the Embassy of the ROK in Thailand in collaboration with Mekong Institute (MI), the theme of the Regional Forum was “From Cooperation to Strategic Partnership: A Decade of Shared Development for People, Prosperity and Peace”  

In his Opening Remarks, H.E. Mr. Lee Wook-heon, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, said “The ROK is prepared to enhance cooperation on investment in various fields including infrastructure. Recognizing the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and infrastructure-building, the Korean Government is supporting key infrastructure projects in the Mekong region.” Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director, Mekong Institute underscored the role played by MI within the Mekong-ROK Cooperation in his welcome remarks, “As an important supporting mechanism, the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund or MKCF was established in 2013 with the purpose of fostering close cooperation among Mekong countries and the ROK.”

The Forum featured prime movers from governments, diplomatic corps, international organizations, universities, and the private sector who made presentations on and discussed milestones, progress, and future plans of the Mekong-ROK Cooperation which will see Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and ROK deepen engagement among members, as well as countries within and beyond ASEAN. Discussions also spotlighted on priorities in strengthening pandemic response and sustainable socioeconomic recovery strategies, opportunities for synergy under the New Southern Policy framework, cultural synergy and cooperation between Mekong and the ROK, and opportunities on further collaboration between the Mekong countries and the ROK on specific sectors and areas such as economic issues, water management and health security. Further, a panel of esteemed speakers touched upon overall aspects of Mekong-ROK development cooperation, status of projects funded under the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund and the areas of cooperation between the United States and the Mekong Countries.

The Forum was simultaneously livestreamed on Zoom, and MI’s YouTube and Facebook channels. 277 guests joined on Zoom from countries of the Mekong Region and the ASEAN, the ROK, China, Australia, North and South America, Africa, Central and South Asia, and Europe. Till date, 2,400 people were reached on Facebook and 255 views were generated on YouTube.

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.