Bangkok July 16, 2016 – Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Executive Director of Mekong Institute (MI), and Ambassador Gil Haskel, Head of Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for regional cooperation and integration in the presence of the Israeli Ambassadors to Singapore, Myanmar, and Vietnam, as well as the Israeli Non-Resident Ambassadors to Lao PDR, Philippines, and Cambodia, and other representatives of the Embassy of Israel in Thailand and MI. 

MI and MASHAV agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, entrepreneurship and sustainable development between Israel and Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries with the exchange and implementation of capacity development programs, the MoU states. 

“I am pleased to have this long-term collaboration with a new and strong partner,” said Dr. Watcharas Leelawath. “As a GMS-based knowledge center of excellence, we are engaging in multi-sector programs in collaboration with a host of development partners to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of our programs and services”. 

Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, MASHAV will address the needs in the GMS with the new partner in the region. The two sides will explore new areas of cooperation on development issues in international fora. 

MASHAV- Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been sharing its experience, know-how and technologies with developing countries since 1957 based on the country’s own development experience and guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.