Bangkok, Thailand, October 16, 2024 – Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the Mekong Institute (MI) Steering Committee, met with H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The discussions focused on deepening future collaborations between MI and the Royal Thai Government to address critical transboundary issues in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI, also joined the dialogue.

The talks underscored MI’s ongoing efforts to address GMS transboundary challenges through various projects, implemented in collaboration with both regional and international development partners. Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the MI Steering Committee Chairman underscored the importance of leveraging MI as a platform to enhance regional cooperation. This will be achieved, in part, through the implementation of the Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Strategy (ACMECS) Master Plan, which addresses long-term transboundary concerns and promotes integrated development.

This meeting not only highlighted the significant progress being made but also reaffirmed the mutual commitment of MI and the Thai Government to advance sustainable development and support economic recovery efforts throughout the region.

The collaboration between MI and the Royal Thai Government is further solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in February 2024. This agreement, made on behalf of the ACMECS member countries, formally designates MI as the back-office support for the ACMECS Interim Secretariat, reinforcing its critical role in facilitating regional cooperation and integration.