Bangkok, Thailand | July 15, 2026 — Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the Mekong Institute (MI) Steering Committee, together with Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI, hosted a welcome dinner in honour of H.E. Ms. Raylene Siale Tagaloa Liufalani, Ambassador of New Zealand to Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand.

The gathering provided an opportunity to reaffirm New Zealand’s longstanding partnership with MI as one of its founding members and to exchange views on shared priorities for sustainable development and regional cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Discussions covered New Zealand’s continued support for MI’s mission, preparations for Mekong Forum 2026, and opportunities to further deepen collaboration in addressing emerging regional challenges through knowledge sharing, capacity development, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

The dinner was also attended by Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA); Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of TICA; Dr. Jean-Pierre A. Verbiest, Honorary Advisor to the MI Council; and representatives from the New Zealand Embassy and MI.