Kunming, China, December 9, 2024 – On the sidelines of the Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Innovation Corridor Development, Mekong Institute (MI), with support from the Chinese Government and together with the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, hosted a high-level consultation on digital innovation. Titled “A Future of Collaborative Growth,” the event brought together 50 senior government officials, private sector leaders, and academics from nearly 40 agencies across Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam to explore strategies for advancing innovation and technological cooperation in the region.

Keynote Insights from Regional Leaders
In his address, Mr. Dai Gang, Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology, China, highlighted the shared vision among Lancang-Mekong leaders. “We aim to build the regional innovation corridor, serving the vision of a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries. All parties agree to further leverage scientific and technological innovation to benefit the region and drive national development,” he remarked, noting the pivotal role of the inaugural senior officials’ meeting in fostering collaboration.

Mr. Shi Youlian, Deputy Secretary-General of the Yunnan Provincial Government and Vice Director-General of the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, introduced Yunnan’s overall layout, policies, and measures for digital collaboration with South and Southeast Asia and emphasized integrating digital innovation into industry and governance. “By enhancing digital infrastructure and fostering regional cooperation, we can build a more connected, resilient economy that benefits all nations within the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework,” he said.

Dr. Ma Wenhui, President of Yunnan University, underscored the importance of academic collaboration in innovation. “By fostering stronger ties between academia, government, and industry, we can ensure that digital transformation addresses the region’s most pressing challenges,” he stated.

Panel Discussions and Expert Contributions
The event featured two expert panels moderated by Ms. Guohua Liu, Director of MI’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Department. The first panel explored digital synergy, with representatives from all six LM countries sharing insights on leveraging technology for regional growth. The second session, focusing on regional cooperation from the technical perspective, included contributions from Yunnan Big Data Co. Ltd., Huawei Yunnan, and Thailand’s Big Data Institute (BDI), showcasing how transformative technologies such as big data, AI, and IoT can drive sustainable development.

Dr. Jean Pierre A. Verbiest, Honorary Advisor of MI, highlighted the transformative potential of emerging technologies. “Big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things are the driving forces shaping the future of society. By harnessing these technologies, we can create smarter, more sustainable solutions to address global challenges,” he said.

Emerging Themes and Recommendations
The discussions underscored several key themes, including strengthening human resources, fostering public-private partnerships, ensuring data security, expanding digital infrastructure, and promoting inclusive digital education. The importance of harmonized policies across countries was also emphasized to enable seamless collaboration and secure data-sharing practices.

Mr. Korkij Danchaivichit, Deputy Secretary-General of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), emphasized private sector collaboration. “Building innovation ecosystems, facilitating regional research and development networks, and fostering strong public-private partnerships are essential to unlocking the full potential of digital innovation and ensuring sustainable growth across the Lancang-Mekong region,” he noted.

Looking Ahead
The consultation concluded with a commitment to operationalize the key recommendations. Mr. Ma Minxiang, Deputy Director General of the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, encapsulated the spirit of the event: “By strengthening our partnerships and fostering continued cooperation, we can build a more sustainable and inclusive future for all nations in the region.”MI will coordinate follow-up actions, working closely with regional stakeholders to translate these insights into concrete outcomes. These efforts aim to establish a robust foundation for innovation-led growth, fostering shared prosperity and sustainable development across the Lancang-Mekong region.