Vietnam proposes major orientations at CLMV SOM meetings

According to a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on September 30, in Quang Ninh province, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang attended and delivered guiding remarks at the Senior Officials' Meetings (SOM) for the Cambodia-Lao PDR-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) cooperation mechanism and the Mekong-Japan cooperation mechanism.

The meetings were attended by Senior Officials' Leaders and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and several ministries and sectors of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. They focused on assessing opportunities and challenges, determining cooperation priorities for the upcoming period, and preparing for the 12th CLMV Summit and the 13th Mekong-Japan Summit.

Enhancing economic connectivity and human resource development

At the CLMV SOM, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized that fluctuations over the past five years have affirmed the long-term value of CLMV cooperation in narrowing the development gap, enhancing economic connectivity, and ensuring that the ASEAN integration process brings opportunities to all member states. Looking toward the 12th CLMV Summit, the Deputy Minister requested that CLMV senior officials focus on discussing three main groups of topics.

First, finalizing the summit documents toward reforming mindset, shaping a shared vision, and determining priorities for CLMV cooperation in alignment with new development requirements.

Second, exchanging views to recommend priorities and initiatives for the next phase of cooperation to leaders, particularly strengthening economic connectivity, tourism, human resource development, and sustainable water resource management.

Third, renewing cooperation commitments to consolidate solidarity and improve the implementation efficiency of initiatives with a spirit of shared responsibility, clear roadmaps, and regular reviews. Vietnam will coordinate with member states and the ASEAN Secretariat to promote the participation and support of development partners and the private sector.

Promoting Mekong-Japan cooperation in the spirit of "co-creation"

Subsequently, at the Mekong-Japan SOM, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang assessed that Mekong-Japan cooperation has made important contributions to enhancing connectivity, sustainable development, responding to non-traditional security challenges, and building a partnership of trust between Japan and Mekong countries.

She highly appreciated Japan's promotion of Mekong-Japan cooperation in the spirit of "co-creation." Amid profound regional and global transformations, the upcoming Mekong-Japan Summit serves as an opportunity for leaders to affirm the strategic importance of the Mekong-Japan partnership for stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the sub-region and the region, complementing the development strategies of Mekong countries and Japan. Frankly acknowledging that past cooperation results have not yet matched expectations and the partnership's potential, the Deputy FM asked Mekong and Japan senior officials focus on identifying several annual cooperation priorities to recommend for leaders' consideration and adoption.

In the near term, Mekong countries and Japan should focus on promoting smart supply chains, developing renewable energy, enhancing the application of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and preventing transnational crime.

Hang also requested member states to step up resource mobilization for Mekong-Japan cooperation, including leveraging Japan's existing frameworks and initiatives such as POWERR ASIA.

Building on the orientations proposed by Vietnam, delegates from the CLMV and Mekong-Japan mechanisms held frank and open discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing both mechanisms. Senior officials of the countries supported the proposals regarding priority fields and prospective initiatives by Vietnam to report to the 12th CLMV Summit and the 13th Mekong-Japan Summit.

Notably, the 13th Mekong-Japan Summit will be the first meeting of leaders of Mekong countries and Japan in six years, expected to generate practical outcomes and new momentum for the next development phase of the partnership.

Mekong countries and Japan also proposed several fields of common interest, including digital transformation, green transition, transportation corridor connectivity, early disaster warning, food security, and the participation and contribution of the private sector. Delegates agreed on the need to continue enhancing the substantive nature and efficiency of the two cooperation mechanisms.

Vietnam attends CLMV Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Indonesia

A Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien attended the 15th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV EMM 15) in Semarang city, Indonesia on August 18.

CLMV nations urged to enhance economic links

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan has proposed further stepping up co-operation between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) to deal with trade obstacles and barriers, as well as facilitating trade activities, especially in e-commerce, towards stronger trade ties among the countries.