Deputy PM, FM Bui Thanh Son co-chairs 13th Mekong- Korea Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Addressing the event, Bui said, the highest priority is to resume the Mekong–South Korea Summit this year after a five-year hiatus, reaffirming at the commitment to building a resilient, prosperous and people-centered Mekong–Korea community.

In this new phase of development, the Mekong–Korea Cooperation (MKC) should focus on innovation as a key driving force, place people at the center of development, ensure water–food–energy security, and promote the growth of cultural industries, stressed the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Viet Nam is expected to host the 13th MKC Business Forum in September 2025, with a focus on digitalization and innovation, announced Bui.

The Mekong countries and South Korea are shaping the 2026–2030 action plan to focus on emerging areas that meet development needs in the digital era, enhance the competitiveness of member countries, and more effectively address transnational crimes, especially online scams.

The MKC mechanism comprises six member countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam. This is the third time Viet Nam has taken on the role of co-chair of the MKC cooperation, following previous terms in 2015 and 2020.

The same day, Bui had a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which the latter underlined the role of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs in promoting delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, tourism, and people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

He urged both sides to accelerate the signing of agreements on mutual legal assistance, extradition, and cooperation in crime prevention and control.

He voiced his support for Viet Nam's candidate for the position of Judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term, expressing his hope that Viet Nam would support Pakistan's bid to become a full dialogue partner of ASEAN.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to working closely to unlock cooperation potential, striving to soon achieve a bilateral trade turnover of US$1 billion.

They also pledged to facilitate business activities and further strengthen collaboration in key areas such as telecommunications, electric vehicles, oil and gas, seafood and food processing, as well as culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges./.