On June 16, 2023, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director, Mekong Institute (MI), along with other MI staff members, welcomed senior officials from the Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China. Represented by Mr. Liang Jianjun, the Deputy Director General, the meeting discussed MI’s operations, its capacity-building programs, and the progress of projects receiving the support of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund which are being implemented by MI.
He further informed that the Asian Affairs Department has been China’s responsible unit for the Lancang Mekong cooperation and recently assumed the oversight for MI. With such responsibility, he saw potential for synergies and cooperation and emphasized MI’s comparative advantage in bringing benefits to the Lancang Mekong region. Mr. Suriyan responded by echoing that human capacity-building is vital to achieving greater development impacts across various cooperation frameworks and that MI remains committed in fulfilling its role.
As MI’s long-standing partner, the Chinese government affirmed its continued support to MI’s capacity-building activities and in fostering sustainable socioeconomic development. With the region facing many new unprecedented challenges, this requires more innovation and cooperation among the countries and stakeholders involved.
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