GMS Contents


WWF Reports Discovery of 380 Species of Flora and Fauna in the GMS

A new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report highlights the discovery of 380 new species of flora and fauna in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The study, conducted in 2021-2022 by an international team comprising scientists and researchers in the subregion, has classified a discovery of 290 plants, 19 fishes, 24 amphibians, 46 reptiles, and 1 mammal.


Photo via Vientiane Times

5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Construction Reaches 72% Completion

Construction work on the 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge has surpassed 72% completion, and is expected to be completely finished by the end of 2024. The bridge will connect Paksan, Bolikhamsai Province (Lao PDR) to Bueng Kan Province (Thailand) across the Mekong River. The bridge is set to further boost connectivity in the GMS.


20th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Agriculture, 10-11 May 2023

20th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Agriculture

Agrifood value chains in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), overall, proved to be resilient to global supply chain disruptions during the pandemic and have made a vital contribution to food security, and economic recovery. Many challenges, however, remain.


Call for Proposals: Submit Applications for Pilot Demonstrations under the GMS Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Program

 The program is now accepting demonstration applications for five of its six priority themes:

  • Climate and disaster resilience
  • Low-carbon transitions
  • Transboundary climate-smart landscapes
  • Digital technology for climate actions and environmental sustainability
  • Financing low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure and technology

Please find the full descriptions of the priority themes in the full call for proposals below.


The Kim Thanh International Border Gate between Lao Cai (Viet Nam) and Yunnan Province (PRC) plays a vital role in the GMS northern corridor. Photo by ADB.

AEIR 2023 Highlights Deepening Integration, Continued Economic Growth in the GMS

The Asian Economic Integration Report 2023 highlights the continued growth of integration in subregional initiatives and programs in Southeast Asia, including both in the GMS and the ASEAN, from 2006 to 2020.


Mekong Tourism Forum 2023

The annual Mekong Tourism Forum returns as an in-person event in Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia, on 25–27 April 2023. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Kingdom of Cambodia, the Forum’s theme is “Rethinking for Resilience and Digitalization.” 

The Forum provides an interactive platform for regional tourism stakeholders to discuss critical issues and emerging trends, rethink the future of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) tourism, exchange insights and experiences, as well as reconnect face-to-face with each other.  


Green Agri-business and Agri-food Value Chain Growth and Development: Financing and Enhancing Women Agribusiness Entrepreneurs

This upcoming workshop, to be held on 26-27 April in Bangkok, Thailand, and via videoconferencing, aligns with output 1: strengthening climate-friendly, inclusive, and gender-responsive agri-food value chains and agribusinesses of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) technical assistance GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (SAFSP). 


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