Pandemic Partners: Regional Cooperation has Helped Asia and the Pacific Mitigate and Recover from COVID-19

The region’s success with decades of growth and poverty reduction is due in large part to the international movement of trade, capital, people, knowledge, and resources – not only within the region but with the rest of the world. This type of regional cooperation is also a powerful tool in addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Read more

Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) 2021: Innovation through Collaboration: Planning for Inclusive Post-COVID-19 Recovery 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its partners will collectively zero in on strategies and policy responses that countries can adopt to lay the groundwork for post-COVID-19 recovery at the upcoming Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) Innovation through Collaboration: Planning for Inclusive Post-COVID-19 Recovery. To be held virtually on 17-18 March 2021, SEADS will explore how Southeast Asian nations can (i) most effectively revitalize businesses, create sustainable job opportunities, and position themselves for inclusive and robust recovery in the wake of COVID-19; (ii) harness “Big Data” and new technology to support growth; and (iii) better ensure widespread vaccine access. Register for free. Read more.

24th Meeting of the GMS Subregional Transport Forum

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and ADB jointly organized the 24th Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Subregional Transport Forum virtually on 21 January 2021 with the theme “Forging Greater Transport Connectivity Toward the Visions of GMS 2030”. Key meeting outcomes include a review of the pipeline of GMS Transport Sector Projects in the GMS Regional Investment Framework 2022, discussion of transport-related aspects of the draft GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 and the draft GMS COVID–19 Response and Recovery Plan 2021–2023, and a report on the progress of the Cross Border Transport Facilitation Agreement “Early Harvest” implementation. Read more.

46th Meeting of the GMS Tourism Working Group

The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) with assistance of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) virtually convened the 46th Meeting of the GMS Tourism Working Group on 3 December 2020. The meeting provided updates on country situations on COVID-19 and planned tourism recovery initiatives and strategies, presented MTCO’s initiatives and programs, and reviewed ADB and other development partner support for the tourism sector in the Mekong subregion. Read more.
 

MIST Program to Highlight Innovations in Sustainable Tourism 

The MIST program has been reimagined as “Mekong Innovations in Sustainable Tourism,” and shifts its focus to highlight innovations in sustainable tourism, resilience, and climate change in the GMS. The MTCO opened the latest round of nominations on 1 February 2021. Nominate initiatives that can be applied to driving sustainability and resilience in the Mekong subregion at the MIST website. Entries must be an operating initiative or project. Nominations are accepted until 31 April. Read more.

Nominations for 2021 Mekong Hero Open

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Mekong Hero. Launched in 2020 by the MTCO and Destination Mekong, the ‘Mekong Heroes’ program aims to celebrate passionate individuals in Mekong tourism who work tirelessly behind the scenes to inspire and influence, modeling new ways of conceiving and doing tourism better. Nominees could be CEOs or senior government officials, or they might be entrepreneurs or small business owners — leaders that have made a significant contribution to developing tourism sustainability in the Mekong Region. Read more.

Experience Mekong Showcases 2021 Opens Voting for Nominated Mekong Businesses

The MTCO is inviting the public to vote for their favorite GMS small businesses to determine the six final businesses that will be recognized for the 2021 Experience Mekong Showcases. The public gets to learn about and choose from the 72 finalists from the Experience Mekong Showcases voting page. Read more.

• Industry 4.0 Could Have Transformational Impact on Skills and Jobs in Cambodia — ADB Study
• GMS Project Enhances Biodiversity Conservation in Viet Nam
• GMS Countries on Promising Path to Eliminate Malaria
• Friends of the Mekong Policy Dialogue Emphasizes US Commitment to the Subregion
• Prime Ministers of Lao PDR and Thailand Discuss Cooperation on Health and Energy
• Construction of the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge Begins
• Lao PDR, Viet Nam to Open New International Border Crossing

7th GMS Leaders' Summit — Postponed

The Kingdom of Cambodia (Host Country) regrettably decided to postpone the upcoming 7th GMS Leaders’ Summit due to the current COVID-19 transmission in the country that requires the immediate and full attention of the government. The new date of the Summit will be announced at a later stage.