GMS Contents

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Young People are Encouraged to More Actively Engage in GMS Agri-food Value Chains

The ageing agricultural labor force in most of GMS countries is causing significant obstacles for the development of agro production activities, not only in productivity but also in innovation. Developing or applying knowledge-based and innovative aspects such as climate smart agriculture, digitalization, block chain technologies and other innovations is crucial for the sector to become more sustainable and competitive. Youth in the region is the generation to continue to work in this essential field, and they play a pivotal role in transforming agri-food systems.

ADB Encourages GMS Countries to Propose Investment Projects to Capitalize on the Implementation of the GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program

As a technical assistance (TA) program, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (SAFSP) itself will not satisfy the vast needs of some GMS countries for infrastructure and facilities. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) therefore recommends each GMS Agriculture ministry to capitalize on this TA, together with other efforts, to come up with investment projects. Mr.

Photo by ADB

Modern GMS Agri-food Sectors Need Further Works on Traceability and Digital Technology

Keeping accurate and immutable records is the bedrock for creating transparency and trust in food products’ origin, safety and quality. Record keeping in small & medium agribusinesses in the GMS is done mostly on paper, which is difficult to access across the supply chain. Reporting on a study on organic coffee at the 18th WGA Annual meeting, Dr. Suporn from the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand, said that digital technology for e-traceability enabled chain actors to share data in a digital and standardized manner for the first time. 

Inception Workshop for the GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program

The Asian Development Bank is organizing an inception workshop for the ADB TA 9916 - Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (SAFSP) on 9–10 June 2021 via web-based video conference. This knowledge and support technical assistance (TA), which runs for 5 years (April 2020 – March 2025), supports the implementation of the Strategy for Promoting Safe and Environment-Friendly Agro-Based Value Chains in the GMS and Siem Reap Action Plan, endorsed by the GMS Agriculture Ministers in September 2017. The TA builds on the achievements of the GMS Core Agriculture Support Program (CASP) phases I (2006-2012) and II (2012-2019). 

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. 

ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting Highlights ADB’s Efforts in Establishing the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility

The 6th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting held virtually on 2 October acknowledged ADB’s efforts in operationalizing the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) as a platform for ASEAN green infrastructure under the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

Mekong Countries, Republic of Korea Convene 10th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

The 10th Mekong-Republic of Korea (RoK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held on 28 September online, with the participation of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the RoK. The meeting highlighted achievements in cooperation on infrastructure, information technology, education, agriculture, environmental protection, and water resources management, and adopted the action plan for 2021-2025.

GMS Economic Corridors Forum Looks to Accelerate Development in Economic Corridors

BANGKOK, THAILAND (28 October 2020) –The 11th The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) GMS Economic Corridors Forum was held today under the theme “Boosting Competitiveness, Connectivity, and Community in the GMS Economic Corridors through Focused and Integrated Spatial Development” with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Secretariat to the GMS Economic Program. The Forum serves as a key platform that crystalizes thinking and experiences from all six member countries on spatial development with focus on successes and potential areas for developments in economic corridor connectivity, regional economic integration, and safe and sustainable community-building. The meeting yielded valuable discussions that helped pave the way for strengthening the GMS cooperation for the future.

Top row, left to right: Dr. Danucha Pichayanan, Deputy Secretary General, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (Thailand); Mr. Liu Weihua, Deputy Director General, Department of International Economic and Financial Cooperation, Ministry of Finance (PRC); Mr. Alfredo Perdiguero, Director, SERC, ADB. Middle row: Mr. Than Aung Kyaw, Director General, FERD, Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations (Myanmar). Bottom row, left to right: Ms. Sisomboun Ounavong, Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment (Lao PDR); Dr. Pham Hoang Mai, Director General, Foreign Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment (Viet Nam); and H.E. Mr. Ros Seilava, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy and Finance (Cambodia) 

GMS Senior Officials’ Meeting Reviews COVID-19 Response Initiatives and Prepares for Upcoming Events

A GMS Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) was held on 11 September 2020 via web-based conferencing to review (i) proposed key GMS strategic planning documents and knowledge products, which includes GMS COVID-19 response initiatives and the new long-term strategy for the GMS program, and (ii) preparations for upcoming GMS events—the 11th Economic Corridors Forum (ECF-11), the 24th GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-24), and the 7th GMS Summit (Summit-7).  

The Beijing Ruentex Environment Technology Group is a designated destination for disposing “medical wastes related to COVID-19” and “domestic wastes related to COVID-19” by the Beijing Municipal Emergency Response Headquarters for COVID-19 Caused Pneumonia. The company developed emergency plans and measures, and scientifically allocated resources for the disposal of epidemic-related medical wastes. Photo by ADB.

Post-Pandemic Priorities for Sustainable Waste Management in the GMS

2020 began with Thailand implementing a ban on single-use plastic with the aim of reducing plastic waste by 30% this year.

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