On 19 Mar 2024, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation released a statement congratulating the peoples of the Mekong-Lancang region on the Eighth Anniversary of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and MLC Week 2024. This marks an important milestone in the region’s efforts to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development.
The launch of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation in 2016 reflected the common aspirations of the six nations involved – Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – to build a community with a shared future of peace and prosperity. Over the past eight years, the MLC mechanism has made significant progress, offering consistent and substantial benefits for the well-being of regional peoples.
Despite growing geopolitical uncertainty and complexity, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) framework remains on its practical path. The Fourth MLC Leaders’ Meeting in December 2023 adopted the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration, which highlights the need to seize opportunities in science, technology, and industry. The leaders also agreed to cooperate in new energy fields, such as electric vehicles and photovoltaics, and consider a Lancang-Mekong Comprehensive Information Platform for Agricultural Economy, Trade, and Technology.
A key aspect of MLC is its focus on youth engagement and tourism cooperation. Cambodia has launched the Mekong-Lancang Youth Tourism Ambassador web portal to promote new patterns of travel across different platforms. This initiative recognizes the ability of young people to easily adapt to technology and digital transformation.
The third document adopted by the leaders, Joint Initiatives on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Innovation Corridor Development, aims to improve collaboration in science, technology, and innovation. Fields covered range from poverty alleviation, industrial development, and public health to digital and green technologies and entrepreneurship.
The MLC Special Fund remains a crucial financing instrument for new projects in the fields of rural development, poverty alleviation, water resources, agriculture, air transport, health, education, tourism, culture, and women’s empowerment. The Cambodian government expresses sincere gratitude to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China for their support and active engagement in advancing the MLC framework.
Mekong-Lancang Cooperation will continue as a positive catalyst with other mechanisms, complementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative. These initiatives are designed to promote inclusive growth and digital economic development, advancing sub-regional integration and ASEAN community building.
In conclusion, Cambodia’s continued commitment to Mekong-Lancang Cooperation is a promising development for the region. As the framework continues to support a community with a shared future of prosperity, it will be essential to build on the progress made in recent years and address the challenges facing the region in the face of growing global uncertainty.
This article has been written based on official statements from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.