November 14, 2024, Khon Kaen, Thailand – The Mekong Institute (MI) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute (CAREC Institute) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance capacity building across the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and Central Asia. The online signing ceremony, held on November 14, marks the beginning of a partnership aimed at addressing shared challenges and promoting sustainable development in both regions.
The MOU formalizes cooperation in several key areas, including climate resilience, energy transition, trade, agriculture, and capacity building. Both institutions are committed to contributing to global initiatives such as the UN 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change through joint research, training programs, and knowledge sharing.
Specific Areas of Collaboration:
- Capacity Building: Joint workshops and training for government officials, the private sector, and civil society.
- Research and Knowledge Sharing: Collaborative research, technical resources exchange, and sharing of best practices. – Personnel Exchange: Facilitating exchanges of experts and researchers.
- Joint Projects: Developing proposals to support regional and global goals.
The partnership will also engage actively participate in regional forums, such as the CAREC Think Tanks Development Forum and the Mekong Forum, to foster dialogue and collaboration.