Prime Minister puts forth measures to promote Mekong-Lancang cooperation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the above statement in his remarks delivered at the fourth MLC Leaders' Meeting held virtually on December 25.

Pham said, the MLC has become an important mechanism connecting Mekong countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Thailand and China.

Since its inception in 2016, the MLC has obtained outstanding achievements, he noted, elaborating that this cooperation mechanism has been increasingly perfected, its content has become more and more substantive, and the friendship and mutual understanding among people of the six countries have been further intensified.

Given fast and profound changes in the global economy, Pham called on MLC member countries to adopt a more comprehensive mindset, a people-based, regional and global approach, along with new, drastic, creative, and breakthrough solutions.

The member countries should build a Mekong-Lancang region of modernity and development by unleashing, mobilizing and using resources and optimizing potential and strengths of each country and all the six.

Innovation and science-technology should be a key pillar of this mechanism, with a focus on supporting fundamental industries, gradually shift from processing and assembly to researching, designing and manufacturing, and apply new technology to industrial and agricultural production.

The LMC countries should step up digital transformation through fostering collaboration in digital infrastructure, digital human resources, digital security, and digital economy while encouraging the participation of development partners and businesses in the spirit of harmonizing benefits and sharing risks.

Pham suggested the need to boost transport cooperation, especially high-speed railway connectivity, and considering a mechanism for local currency transactions.

It is necessary to build a green, sustainable and inclusive Mekong-Lancang region, ensuring harmony between economic growth and environmental protection, considering people at the center, and viewing people as the key stakesholders, driving force, resource and target of development, with the aim of leaving no one behind, stressed the Prime Minister.

The immediate priority should be given to assisting the countries to realise the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the commitments to reducing carbon emissions to build green and circular economies. 

It is important to enhance regional cooperation in protecting the environment; responding to natural disasters; managing and efficiently, sustainably, equitably, and reasonably using the Mekong - Lancang River; and especially not changing the river’s natural flows.

For a better future for their peoples, the six countries should prioritize investing in human development, building inclusive education and health systems, supporting the young workforce to access modern science and technology and creating conditions for all people to benefit from the development process.

The Vietnamese leader underscored the importance of strengthening their mutual trust, sincerity, solidarity, and consensus, promoting common interests, and upholding multilateralism.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister affirmed support for Laos to successfully undertake the role as the ASEAN Chair in 2024.

At the meeting, the leaders adopted the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration, the MLC plan of action for 2023-2027, and the initiative on the Mekong - Lancang innovation corridor./.