On December 20, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of the Mekong Institute (MI), hosted a luncheon to congratulate Ms. Busadee Santipitaks on her appointment as the incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat. Ms. Santipitaks will officially assume her role on January 17, 2025, marking a historic achievement as the first female CEO in the MRC’s history.

The gathering brought together distinguished guests, including Mr. Suthad Setboonsarng, Mr. Apichai Sunchindah, and Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, who offered their warm congratulations and support to Ms. Santipitaks as she prepares to lead the organization.

In his remarks, Mr. Suriyan underscored the vital importance of MI’s ongoing collaboration with the MRC and other regional stakeholders. He stated, “MI and the MRC share a common goal of promoting sustainable development and cooperation in the region. By working together, we can tackle complex challenges and ensure a prosperous, sustainable future for all countries reliant on its resources.” He expressed confidence that Ms. Santipitaks’ leadership would further strengthen the MRC’s role as a key driver of regional cooperation and integration.

This luncheon reaffirmed MI’s commitment to collaborative efforts for sustainable development in the Mekong region and highlighted the shared vision between MI and the MRC to address critical environmental and developmental challenges through united action and strategic partnerships.