Bangkok: The Cabinet approved the draft documents for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) leaders’ meeting, scheduled for November 6-7 in Kunming, during a recent meeting.
According to Thai News Agency, the Cabinet endorsed two main documents for the 8th Summit of the Leaders on the GMS Economic Cooperation Plan. These include the Draft Joint Statement of the 8th Summit and the Draft Strategy for Innovation for Development of the Greater Mekong Subregion 2030. Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture or an assigned representative, will act as the Minister of the GMS Plan at the summit. The draft documents aim to enhance Thailand’s international standing and facilitate the development of joint strategies across various sectors. This includes improving sub-regional transportation connectivity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering international trade and investment networks, particularly within the East
ern Economic Corridor development project.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the outcome documents of the 6th Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Ministers’ Meeting (GMS EMM-6) as proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). The documents include the GMS 2030 Strategic Framework for Accelerating Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability, the Draft Joint Statement of Phnom Penh on Preventing Plastic Pollution, and the Draft Joint Statement of the 6th GMS Environment Ministers’ Meeting. These documents reflect the commitment of the six GMS countries-Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China-to address climate change and environmental challenges. The endorsement of these documents is set for the 8th GMS Summit.
The Cabinet also approved the draft Vientiane Declaration for the 10th ACMECS Leaders’ Meeting, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting, chaired by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, will focus on ‘Towards Seamless Connectivity for the
Integration of the Greater Mekong Subregion.’ The draft declaration supports economic integration among ACMECS member countries and marks the success of the ACMECS Temporary Secretariat in Thailand. It also outlines the extension of the ACMECS Master Plan (2019 – 2023) and announces Myanmar as the host for the 11th ACMECS Leaders’ Meeting in 2026. The draft Vientiane Declaration is not considered a treaty under Section 1778 of the Thai Constitution.