Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department at the Mekong Institute (MI), participated in the 10th Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Food and Agriculture Trade and Investment, held on June 4–5, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event was organized by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the Stimson Center, Washington, D.C.
This year’s dialogue focused on addressing critical sustainability challenges and identifying opportunities in the Lower Mekong region, known for its rich agricultural diversity and dynamic trade landscape. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders to generate innovative solutions and actionable policy recommendations aimed at overcoming trade barriers and enhancing regional cooperation.
Mr. Dutta moderated a session on Cross-Border Trade Facilitation, which explored regional trade policies, logistics innovation, and infrastructure development. The session emphasized the importance of streamlining customs procedures, reducing trade bottlenecks, and adopting energy-efficient solutions for cold chain logistics across Mekong countries.
The dialogue welcomed over 75 participants, including representatives from Southeast Asian and U.S. government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the international diplomatic community.
The collaborative nature of the event underscored a shared commitment to advancing food security, sustainable development, and resilient trade systems in the Mekong region and beyond.
The dialogue concluded with a commitment to compile a final report summarizing key insights and recommendations. This report, to be published by the Stimson Center in July 2025, will serve as a roadmap for future policy initiatives and regional cooperation.
About the Mekong–U.S. Partnership (MUSP)
The Mekong–U.S. Partnership (MUSP) is a collaborative initiative launched in 2020 to deepen cooperation between the United States and the countries of the Mekong subregion—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Building on the legacy of the Lower Mekong Initiative, MUSP promotes sustainable development, economic connectivity, good governance, and environmental stewardship. The Partnership engages over a dozen U.S. government agencies and supports more than 50 programs addressing shared regional challenges, including transboundary water management, energy security, public health, and food systems resilience. Guided by principles of transparency, sovereignty, and mutual respect, MUSP works in alignment with ASEAN and other regional frameworks to foster peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth across the Mekong region.
