Fostering Mekong-Japan connectivity towards sustainable development

The occasion saw the respective leaders of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand note their great appreciation for Japanese co-operation with the Mekong River Basin nations in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as the results of co-operation between the two sides over the past decade.

The leaders noted the progress made in implementing the Tokyo Strategy 2018 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation, the Mekong Industrial Development Vision 2.0, the Mekong-Japan Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) towards 2030, and the Kusasone Mekong SDG initiative.

They welcomed Japanese PM Suga’s initiatives, including the Mekong Investment Partnership for Sustainable Development (SDG), along with initiatives aimed at strengthening regional supply chains and increasing capacity building in a number of specialised areas.

In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic evolving in a complex manner, the regional leaders reaffirmed their joint efforts to both prevent and respond to the spread of epidemics while rebuilding the economy.

They therefore agreed to further strengthen connectivity, emphasising the importance of economic development combined with environmental protection while minimising the consequences of natural disasters, including increasing resilience to climate change along with making use and managing water resources of the Mekong River in a sustainable manner.

The leaders also agreed to foster digital transformation in an effort to seize upon the opportunities from Industry 4.0, and to promote regional supply chain development.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc affirmed the Mekong-Japan strategic partnership’s important contributions to the socio-economic development of member countries, as well as to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

He pointed out that there are a number of directions that the future development of the Mekong-Japan co-operation can go in, dwelling on the urgent task of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, gradually restoring the economy, and assisting workers and enterprises in a “new normal” environment.

To do this, the Vietnamese leader said relevant parties must promote trade and investment flows amongst the six countries, and at the same time maximise their competitive advantages and the complementarity aspects of the various economies. He therefore called on all relevant parties to strengthen healthcare co-operation through information sharing and COVID-19 response measures, along with co-operating in epidemiological research, development, and production of vaccines, in order to ensure a fair and reasonable access to vaccines for all.

In addition,, the Vietnamese PM suggested strengthening co-operation on the sustainable management of the Mekong River’s water resources as well as the bloc’s response to natural disasters and climate change. Indeed, there should be an emphasis placed on biodiversity conservation, developing capacity for an early warning system, drought and flood prevention, together with smart agriculture development.

The leaders adopted a joint statement at the summit and agreed to convene the 13th version of the summit in Japan next year.