Khon Kaen City, 31 July 2024 – In a grand opening plenary, Mekong Institute (MI) and its partners convened about 300 stakeholders from over 25 countries for the 10th Mekong Forum. For more than a decade, this flagship annual event has served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration on sustainable development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). This year’s forum adopted the theme “Breaking Through New Horizons: Digitalization, Innovation, and Technology (DIT) in the GMS” to chart an innovative future and drive regional prosperity through digital transformation.
MI Executive Director, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn kicked off the two-day event with a warm welcome to all participants, acknowledging the vital role of partners and sponsors in making the forum possible and meaningful. He said that “Mekong Forum is an open platform where all stakeholders can come together to discuss issues that matter to the subregion and identify approaches and ways to address challenges for the benefit of the people. This is what Mekong Forum offers.”
He stressed the need to bridge the gap between policy and implementation by leveraging digital technology and its potential. “While policies are in place, we must ensure their effective implementation. One way to achieve this is by tapping into digital technology and best practices,” he said.
Other key officials from the region who delivered opening messages included H. E. Mr. Chea Chanthum, MI Council Chairperson and Secretary-General of the General Secretariat for Population and Development at the Ministry of Planning in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
Opening the series of plenary keynotes, Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the MI Steering Committee, discussed how digitalization by design enhances efficiency and drives innovation across various sectors. He highlighted the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its significant impact on industries, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy. He addressed global challenges such as cybersecurity and the digital divide, exploring how digitalization can lower costs, create opportunities, address social inequality, and prevent cybercrime.
Dr. Aladdin Rillo, Managing Director for Policy Design and Operations at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), tackled the rapid yet incomplete digital transformation within ASEAN. Dr. Rillo highlighted how digital technologies can drive a sustainable future, provided that governments ensure a supportive regulatory framework, capable talents, and well-established public trust. He also introduced ERIA’s Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), showcasing its research and capacity-building efforts to foster a digital and sustainable future.
The last keynote by Mr. Lidong Bing, Director of Alibaba’s Language Technology Lab, explored the widespread adoption of Generative AI and its impact on global digital landscapes. He examined the inclusivity of Large Language Models (LLMs), with a particular focus on SeaLLMs tailored for Southeast Asian languages. Detailing their development, performance, and impact, Mr. Bing provided insights into how SeaLLMs can bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive technological progress in the region.
Following the keynotes, a panel of experts from global and local organizations discussed GMS’s readiness for digital transformation. Moderated by Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Honorary Advisor to Bolliger and Company Thailand, and former MI Executive Director, the panelists provided critical insights into opportunities and priorities for GMS governments and stakeholders, covering essential social and cultural changes, AI skills training, cybersecurity collaboration, e-commerce success, and startup support.
Running until 1 August 2024, Mekong Forum 2024 seeks to build a regional innovation strategy that aligns with GMS-2030 and ASEAN’s digital and connectivity goals, as well as Global Development Initiative (GDI), tailored to meet the diverse needs and ambitions of the GMS. The two-day event is hosting seven breakout sessions, called Terrains, with over 30 resource persons and presentations addressing key aspects of DIT.
Mekong Forum 2024 is proudly sponsored by the People’s Republic of China and the New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP). This year’s event is also co-hosted by an impressive array of organizations, including the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), MitrPhol Innovation & Research Center, Thailand Beverage Logistics, Khon Kaen University (KKU), Winrock International, Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), ERIA, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Chulalongkorn University, and the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO).
