The Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), established in 2013 under the Mekong–Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation framework, has been an important platform for advancing collaboration across seven priority sectors among the Mekong countries—Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam—and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

These priority sectors, outlined in the Mekong–ROK Plan of Action 2021–2025, include: Culture and Tourism, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Environment, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Rural Development, Human Resources Development, and Non-traditional Security Challenges. To address the region’s evolving needs, MKCF supports projects that are regional in scope or benefit multiple Mekong countries.

The Mekong Institute (MI), as the Fund Coordinator, manages these projects to align with both national and regional development priorities, fostering integration and shared progress. To date, over 61 projects have been implemented with support from the MKCF.

As the MKCF continues to advance regional cooperation, MI, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the ROK and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Viet Nam, is pleased to host the inaugural Mekong– ROK Cooperation Forum: Advancing Regional Development and Partnerships, on May 14, 2025, in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

This forum will highlight key achievements, lessons learned, and best practices of MKCF projects, while showcasing the regional collaboration initiatives fostered between Mekong countries and ROK. It will also serve as a platform to to forge new partnerships across public and private sectors, explore ways to scale project outcomes, and identify emerging regional challenges related to economic, social, and environmental
sustainability, while ensuring continued impact.

Bringing together government officials, development partners, MKCF Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), and private sector representatives, the event aims to strengthen regional cooperation and chart a path forward for inclusive and impactful development in the Mekong region.

The event aims to showcase the key results of regional cooperation efforts initiated through cooperation projects, deepen understanding of sector-specific issues, foster collaboration for sustained impact, and explore pathways to scale and integrate project outcomes into broader
development strategies. The specific objectives include:

• Showcase regional rooperation among Mekong countries and RoK in seven sectors
• Showcase achievements and outcome stories of MKCF projects
• Address emerging regional sectoral challenges and explore opportunities for future regional initiatives
• Explore opportunities to sustain pilot project results and outcomes to promote triangular cooperation
• Develop actionable strategies for sectoral regional sustainable development

The event aims to build on the successes of MKCF projects, identify new priority areas in response to emerging challenges, and leverage both achievements and challenges to drive future initiatives and foster enhanced regional cooperation across sectors.

• Officials from the foreign missions of Mekong countries and the ROK based in Hanoi, senior officials and focal points of Mekong–ROK Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Mekong countries and the ROK
• Senior officials from the line ministries of the Mekong countries and the ROK, representing the seven priority sectors of Mekong–ROK Cooperation
• Senior officials and project team members from international development partners
• Impact investors, financiers and business entities from the private sector
• Project team leaders from the MKCF Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs)

Event photos are available at this link.