Economic Cooperation in Asia-Pacific
United Nations (UN)
Important News and Updates
NESDC Participates in the 2nd APEC Economic Committee Meeting of 2025 to discuss the agenda for a strengthened APEC structural reform and issues of enhancing participation in the formal economy
On August 12-13, 2025, the Republic of Korea, as the APEC 2025 host, organized the 2nd APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting of 2025 during the Third Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM3) in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Ms. Sasithorn Palatthadech, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, led the Thai delegation […]
The 1st APEC Economic Committee Meeting of 2025 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea
On March 3-4, 2025, the Republic of Korea, as the APEC 2025 host, organized the 1st APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting of 2025 during the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea. Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, led the Thai delegation in attending the Economic […]
APEC Economic Report 2024: Structural Reform and Financial Inclusion
The APEC Economic Policy Report 2024 (AEPR 2024) on Structural Reform and Financial Inclusion aims to promote structural reforms that support financial inclusion, which is a crucial component of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economic growth. The report presents both demand-side and supply-side issues in financial access, focusing on implementing structural reforms to facilitate equitable access […]
The 2nd APEC Economic Committee Meeting of 2024 in Lima, Republic of Peru
On August 21-22, 2024, the Republic of Peru, as the host of APEC 2024, organized the 2nd APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting of 2024, which was part of the Third Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) held from August 12-25, 2024, in Lima, Republic of Peru. Mr. Thatchai Keerapong Paiboon, Director of the International Strategy and Cooperation […]
APEC Economic Committee Meeting 1/2024 in Lima, Republic of Peru
On March 4-5, 2024, the Republic of Peru, as the APEC 2024 host, organized the APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting 1/2024, which was part of the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) held from February 29 to March 8, 2024, in Lima, Republic of Peru. Mr. Thatchai Keerapongpaiboon, Director of the International Strategy and Cooperation Division, […]
APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting 2/2023
On August 14-15, 2023, the United States, as the APEC 2023 host, organized the APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting 2/2023, which was part of the Third Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) held from July 29 to August 21, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, United States. Mr. Wanchat Suwankitti, Deputy Secretary-General of NESDC, led the Thai delegation in […]
APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting No. 1/2023
Mr. Wanchat Suwannakitti, Deputy Secretary-General, along with NESDC officials, represented Thailand at the APEC Economic Committee (EC) Meeting No. 1/2023 with 20 other APEC economies, held on February 23-24, 2023, during the 1st APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting in Palm Springs, California, United States. Key highlights are as follows: 1. APEC Economic Committee Meeting No. 1/2023 […]
The 1st APEC Economic Committee Meeting of 2022 and Related Meetings
Dr. Wanchat Suwannakitti, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, participated in the APEC Economic Committee (EC) meeting, which is one of APEC’s main committees, during Thailand’s hosting of the 3rd APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and related meetings held at Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai Province. The key meeting contents were as follows: […]
Results of the 1/2020 APEC Economic Committee Meeting and Related Meetings
The Cabinet acknowledged the results of the 1/2020 APEC Economic Committee Meeting and related meetings held from February 13-17, 2020, in Malaysia, which included: 1. Workshop on Innovative Regulatory Policy Development: APEC Economies’ Approaches on Sharing Economy, aimed at establishing guidelines for developing regulatory policies for the sharing economy among APEC member economies to align […]
General Information about UN Programs
The Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation (GMS) program is a cooperation framework among 6 countries in the Mekong River basin, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, China (Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It was initiated in 1992 through the efforts of these 6 countries and support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to promote economic, social, and environmental cooperation based on the comparative advantages of each country. Currently, the GMS program operates under the GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030, which aims to develop an integrated, prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive Greater Mekong Subregion.
The 3 pillars of cooperation under the GMS program Throughout its operation, the GMS program has been based on 3 pillars of development, or the 3Cs principle, consisting of:
Connectivity
Enhancing cross-border transport and energy connectivity through the development of physical infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
Competitiveness
Strengthening competitiveness by promoting a fair and open regional business environment, focusing on trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, and urban development.
Community
Building a community with a shared future by promoting cross-border cooperation in public health and the environment, as well as improving the well-being of the people.
The GMS program emphasizes the concept of Economic Corridors, which connects cross-border economic areas through infrastructure, policy coordination, and unified regulatory development to promote economic activities and the movement of goods, services, people, and capital in the Greater Mekong Subregion. There are 3 main economic corridors:
(1) North-South Economic Corridor (NSEC) (blue) – A main route connecting southern China and Lao PDR to the sea, with 3 sub-corridors:
- Kunming (China) – Boten (Laos) / Tachilek (Myanmar) – Chiang Rai (Thailand) – Bangkok (Thailand)
- Kunming (China) – Hanoi (Vietnam) – Haiphong (Vietnam)
- Nanning (China) – Hanoi (Vietnam)
(2) East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) (green) – A route connecting major economic cities between Vietnam, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Myanmar, spanning 1,500 kilometers, including Mawlamyine (Myanmar) – Myawaddy (Myanmar) – Mae Sot (Thailand) – Phitsanulok (Thailand) – Khon Kaen (Thailand) – Kalasin (Thailand) – Mukdahan (Thailand) – Savannakhet (Laos) – Dong Ha (Vietnam) – Da Nang (Vietnam)
(3) Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) (red) – A route connecting major economic cities between Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, as well as Myanmar and Vietnam – Cambodia and Laos, with 4 sub-corridors:
- Bangkok (Thailand) – Phnom Penh (Cambodia) – Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) – Vung Tau (Vietnam)
- Bangkok (Thailand) – Siem Reap (Cambodia) – Stung Treng (Cambodia) – Ratanakiri (Cambodia) – O Ya Dav (Cambodia) – Pleiku (Vietnam) – Quy Nhon (Vietnam)
- Bangkok (Thailand) – Trat (Thailand) – Koh Kong (Cambodia) – Ratanakiri (Cambodia) – Kampot (Cambodia) – Ha Tien (Vietnam) – Ca Mau (Vietnam) – Nam Can (Vietnam)
- Sihanoukville (Cambodia) – Phnom Penh (Cambodia) – Kratie (Cambodia) – Stung Treng (Cambodia) – Dong Kralor (Laos) – Pakse (Laos) – Savannakhet (Laos), which intersects with the East-West Economic Corridor
A framework for investment in near-term projects aligned with GMS development objectives. Currently operating under RIF 2025, covering the period 2023-2025, comprising 111 projects across all 6 countries.
Schedule of Past and Future Important Meetings
