Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department at Mekong Institute (MI), delivered a keynote speech titled “Strengthening People-to-People Connectivity to Address New Security Challenges in the Mekong Region” during the closing ceremony of the Non-Traditional Security Challenges (NTS Mekong Watch) Project on September 10, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. 

In his address, he underscored the critical need for enhanced regional cooperation to combat transnational crimes, including cybercrime and drug trafficking. He advocated for promoting information sharing and training to strengthen the legal frameworks of Mekong countries, enabling them to respond more effectively to these challenges. Over the two-year duration of the project, significant efforts were made to tackle cross-border crimes through various interventions along the Thai-Lao and Thai-Cambodia borders. The project focused particularly on human trafficking, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration by fostering people-to-people connectivity and encouraging civic engagement.

The project was funded by the Mekong Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) and implemented by the Department of Provincial Administration under the Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of Thailand, in collaboration with neighboring countries. The closing ceremony was attended by 172 participants, including stakeholders from border provincial departments and diplomatic missions from Malaysia, Cambodia, and Myanmar.