Development Partners
Development Partners
Background and Principles
Development Partners of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) program consist of international agencies or organizations that play a vital role in supporting GMS operations. They provide support in terms of expertise, financial resources, technology, and capacity building for member countries, as well as technical assistance to promote strong and sustainable economic and social development in the subregion. This includes, in particular, support for projects in emerging cooperation sectors and key cross-cutting issues such as migration, digital transformation, gender, trade, and investment in green infrastructure for greater climate resilience.
Since the inception of the GMS program in 1992, development partners have played a crucial role in supporting and driving various projects under this cooperation framework. Working alongside GMS member governments and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), they have co-financed investment projects that promote cooperation and economic integration in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Over the years, they have co-financed more than 100 investment projects totaling over $28 billion to support infrastructure development, transport and logistics connectivity, trade facilitation, and regional economic and social development.
The involvement of development partners is therefore essential for driving projects and activities under the GMS program. This includes supporting policy studies, capacity building, and knowledge transfer to enhance the ability of member countries to implement development projects and promote subregional economic connectivity in a concrete and sustainable manner.
Recent Progress
The crucial role of development partners in supporting the implementation of the GMS 2030 Strategic Framework has been emphasized, particularly regarding the GMS Innovation Strategy 2030 and the GMS Digitalization Action Plan 2025-2027. These cover the development of digital skills, data systems, and digital infrastructure, as well as the application of innovation in agriculture, tourism, trade, and investment. Furthermore, progress was noted regarding the GMS Knowledge Network, which involves over 120 knowledge institutions driving research and capacity building in the subregion. This is coupled with progress in preparing the Regional Investment Framework (RIF) 2026-2028, which requires financial cooperation and technical assistance from both the private sector and development partners to support GMS operations effectively and sustainably.
