Greater Mekong Subregion Development Partners' Meeting
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program convened a Development Partners’ Meeting on 20 October 2020 via web-based conferencing.
GMS Contents
The 12th Mekong-Japan Summit took place virtually on 13 November as part of the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Photo by VNA via VNExplorer.
12th Mekong-Japan Summit Highlights How Cooperation Enhances Connectivity in the Subregion
Japan and Mekong countries convened the 12th Mekong-Japan Summit on 13 November, cochaired by Japan Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The meeting underscored Japan’s strong commitment to the Mekong subregion and reviewed progress of cooperation between Japan and Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic [PDR], Thailand, Myanmar, and Viet Nam) as guided by the "Tokyo Strategy 2018." The Strategy seeks to strengthen connectivity, improve human resource development, and enhance environmental protection.
The second Mekong-RoK Summit was held online on 13 November. Photo by VNA via Viet Nam Plus.
Mekong Countries, Republic of Korea Upgrade Relations to Strategic Partnership
Countries of the Mekong subregion and the Republic of Korea (RoK) agreed to raise bilateral relations to a "Strategic Partnership for People, Prosperity, and Peace" at the second Mekong-RoK Summit held on 13 November 2020, which was chaired by RoK President Moon Jae-in and Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
The meeting noted the reinforced cooperation in public health amid the pandemic, and hailed recovery of trading volumes between the RoK and the Mekong subregion to 2019 level.
ADB Insight: Reopening Tourism
Tourism is a foundation of the Asia and the Pacific economy. But once-bustling tourist hotspots now resemble ghost towns as the impact of COVID-19 casts a heavy pall over the industry.
Reviving Tourism amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
This brief explores how governments could help revitalize the important tourism sector in Asia and the Pacific amid the challenges of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Greater Mekong Subregion Senior Officials' Meeting
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) held a Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on 27 October 2020 via web-based conferencing. It was attended by GMS Senior officials and ADB officials.
ADB Insight: Hunt for a Vaccine
In the first episode of ADB Insight, we speak to the people on the frontline of the global effort to deliver a vaccine in record time and explore the complex issues around distributing the life-saving drug to billions of people in Asia & the Pacific.
Photo by ADB.
ADB Allocates $20 Million to Help Developing Members Access Vaccines for COVID-19
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $20.3 million in technical assistance to help its developing members access vaccines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and establish systems to enable equitable and efficient vaccine distribution.
Migrant workers are returning to Southeast Asia in large numbers as governments grapple with how best to keep them employed. Photo: Ina Carolino
COVID-19 is Sending Millions of Overseas Workers Back Into Southeast Asia’s Rural Areas
With the right policies, enough jobs can be created to employ returning workers and creating the opportunity for a new era in agricultural entrepreneurship in the region.
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).
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A subregional cooperation program focused on its fundamental strengths of community, connectivity, and competitiveness while embracing the core principles of environmental sustainability and resilience, internal and external integration, and inclusivity, for building a GMS community with a bright shared future
Greater Mekong Subregion Secretariat
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Address: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4444 Fax: +63 2 8636 2226
