Deputy PM Minh attends 12th LMI Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok
VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended the 12th Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 1, on the fringes of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-52).
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| Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh |
In his speech, Minh hailed the US’contributions to regional development via LMI as well as LMI’s comprehensive approaches to issues on water resources, energy, food, women’s role improvement and human resources development, thus making great contributions to the building of the ASEAN Community.
The Vietnamese diplomat underlined a number of fields for future cooperation, including boosting capacity for infrastructure projects, policymaking for Mekong river water resources management and developing a contingent of high-quality workforce.
He voiced support for the restoration of FLM mechanism which, he said, will solicit partners’ involvement to help the region achieve development goals.
The meeting reviewed the achievements over the past decade and held that the LMI has helped improve the Mekong countries’ capacity to sustainably manage water resources, enhance agriculture-reliant economy, develop the regional energy market, build sci-tech training network, respond to natural disasters and epidemics, empower women, and upgrade infrastructure facilities.
The ministers praised the launch of the Mekong Water Data Initiative (MWDI) and its website to enhance the role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and intensify the sharing of data for forecasting and policymaking.
They also hailed the US’initiative to incorporate LMI’s projects with localities’ needs.
The ministers consented to boost inclusiveness, centrality and effectiveness of LMI so as to push forward LMI’s contributions to dealing with trans-border challenges and spurring sustainable regional development.
They pledged to continue supporting MRC’s activities, stepping up information sharing and coordination between LMI and partners in the Friends of the Lower Mekong (FLM), back the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy and other cooperation mechanisms among the Mekong countries.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the Japan-US Mekong Power Partnership will be established to help the Mekong countries ensure sustainable energy security.
The meeting adopted a joint statement marking the 10th anniversary of MLI. On the occasion, the foreign ministers of the Mekong countries, the US and heads of FLM delegations approved a joint statement on bolstering FML coordination.