Chongqing, China | 29–31 December 2025 — The Mekong Institute (MI) actively participated in the 8th Think Tank Forum of the Global Center for Mekong Studies (GCMS) on “Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC) 2.0: Prospects and Pathways”, reaffirming its mandate and long-standing experience in advancing subregional cooperation through evidence-based policy dialogue and action-oriented initiatives.

Co-hosted by the Global Center for Mekong Studies (GCMS) and the Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL), the forum served as a primary platform bringing together representatives from the six Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC) member countries—Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam—along with experts from ASEAN member states and international organizations. More than 49 policymakers, researchers, and think tank representatives from the region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, participated in the discussions.

MI’s Contribution to LMC 2.0

Representing MI, Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, delivered a keynote address during the forum, drawing on MI’s mandate and its extensive experience in implementing projects funded by the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund

In his presentation, Mr. Dutta emphasized MI’s programmatic approach to LMC cooperation—one that goes beyond individual projects by measuring progress and results at the sector level, thereby contributing more strategically to the broader goals of LMC. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that LMC-supported initiatives deliver tangible, measurable outcomes that can be sustained, scaled up, and replicated across the subregion.

A key focus of the keynote was the sustainability of LMC project results. Mr. Dutta underscored MI’s efforts to strengthen sustainability through continued capacity building for Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), particularly in project identification, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). These efforts help partner institutions better track progress, integrate project results into national programmes, and maintain development impacts beyond the project lifecycle.

He further highlighted MI’s vision for replicating successful project outcomes for broader regional impact, ensuring that effective interventions are not isolated efforts but are systematically scaled through partnerships and reinforced via sustained stakeholder engagement in regional platforms and policy forums. In this regard, MI advocated for the development of a regional M&E framework to support a more sustainable and scalable programmatic approach under LMC 2.0.

The keynote also encouraged deeper reflection on critical questions for the future of LMC cooperation, including which outcomes should be sustained, how results can be scaled or replicated, how resources can be mobilized for long-term impact, and how like-minded partners and champions across the region can be better connected.

These perspectives, grounded in MI’s hands-on experience across the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), reinforced the Institute’s role as a regional platform that bridges policy dialogue with practical implementation in support of LMC 2.0.

The keynote emphasized MI’s practical experience in translating regional cooperation frameworks into implementable programmes, particularly in the areas of trade and investment facilitation, sustainable agriculture, human capital development, connectivity, and inclusive growth. These experiences, Mr. Dutta noted, position MI as a regional platform that bridges policy dialogue with on-the-ground implementation across the GMS.

Advancing Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Exchange

Over the course of the forum, participants reflected on the ten-year evolution of the LMC, highlighting its transition from conceptual cooperation to concrete and results-oriented initiatives. Discussions underscored the importance of:

· Academic exchanges and think tank collaboration to support evidence-based policymaking under LMC 2.0;

· Green transformation and improved connectivity as critical pillars for sustainable regional development;

· Digital transformation and people-to-people connectivity to enhance resilience and shared prosperity in the Lancang–Mekong region.

The forum concluded with a strong consensus on the need to translate policy insights into practical measures that directly enhance livelihoods and promote long-term regional progress.

Key Outcomes and the Way Forward

Key action points emerging from the forum included:

· Conducting in-depth research on long-term LMC cooperation to identify new opportunities and develop actionable policy recommendations;

· Strengthening think tank networks and academic collaboration to leverage international expertise in support of LMC 2.0;

· Converting forum discussions into concrete, people-centered initiatives aligned with regional priorities such as sustainability, innovation, and digitalisation;

· Fostering a constructive and collaborative environment to advance shared goals under LMC 2.0.

MI’s participation in the 8th GCMS Think Tank Forum reflects its continued commitment to supporting the LMC through policy-relevant research, capacity development, and project implementation. Building on its experience with LMC-funded initiatives, MI will continue to work closely with regional partners to help shape an inclusive, sustainable, and results-driven future for LMC 2.0.