On Thursday, September 9, 2021, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, participated in the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit via video conference. The summit was chaired by His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, along with Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank, also attended, along with Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and Mr. Wanchat Suwankitti, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, as senior officials representing Thailand.
This meeting was organized under the main theme “GMS Program: Rebuilding Resilience to Face Challenges in the New Decade” which emphasizes the development commitment of the Greater Mekong Subregion under the vision of “A more integrated, prosperous subregion that reduces inequality and leaves no one behind” through Thailand’s leading and constructive role in driving flexible and sustainable development in the post-COVID-19 era, continuing the success of the three pillars of GMS cooperation (3Cs): Connectivity, Competitiveness, and Community, with the following key elements:
The leaders of the Greater Mekong Subregion countries endorsed the following outcome documents:
1. The 7th GMS Summit Joint Declaration
2. The GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030, which outlines the GMS program’s operational strategy for the next 10 years, along with suggestions to reduce obstacles and challenges in implementation
3. The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan 2021-2023, which focuses on both economic and health recovery in the GMS subregion in the short and medium term
Additionally, the GMS leaders acknowledged the report on the implementation and activities throughout 2020-2021, which, despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, were able to adapt and successfully complete important activities. Progress on key projects includes the construction of the China-Laos high-speed railway, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway, the Vientiane-Vang Vieng expressway, the Hongsa-Chomphet road, the improvement of Laem Chabang Port Phase 3, and the construction of the high-speed rail link connecting Thailand-Laos-China.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister delivered a statement expressing appreciation for member countries’ efforts to address the challenges, especially the pandemic, and emphasized cooperation to continue the success of the GMS Cooperation Program in the next decade as follows:
1. Connectivity: Accelerate infrastructure development to promote seamless transport network connections both within the subregion and to other regions, and create links between cities and special border economic development zones. This is in line with the Motorway-Rail Map (MR Map) and the Land Bridge development plan in the southern region, which will be a new export and import channel for the GMS. Meanwhile, Thailand is ready to connect its high-speed rail route with those from China and Laos to increase efficiency in goods transportation and expand value chains in the subregion. Regarding regulatory connectivity, Thailand encourages GMS member countries and the ADB to expedite the implementation of the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) and to accelerate discussions to push for unified regulations to facilitate efficient cross-border transport.
2. Competitiveness: Focus on creating an environment conducive for businesses at all levels to adapt, enhancing the GMS subregion’s competitiveness. Thailand emphasizes both recovery measures and capacity building for MSMEs, as well as strengthening communities, which are the main mechanisms for driving the grassroots economy to achieve inclusive income distribution. Moreover, Thailand has developed the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which will promote investment in advanced innovation and technology under the Thailand 4.0 policy.
3. Community: Build immunity for the subregion against epidemics or emerging diseases. Thailand has prepared a specific master plan under the national strategy as a result of the COVID-19 situation for 2021-2022, which will also support operations at the GMS subregional level. Jointly drive the GMS Safe Borders cooperation through knowledge exchange and enhance cooperation for regional disease surveillance and prevention. Additionally, accelerate development that focuses on balancing economy, society, and environment to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals. Thailand has designated the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy as a national agenda.
The 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit is scheduled to be held in 2024, with the government of the People’s Republic of China hosting the meeting.
Image: Office of the Prime Minister, Government House
News: International Strategy and Cooperation Division, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council
