#DigitalAgainstCOVID19
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has opened a #DigitalAgainstCOVID19 Hackathon challenge that seeks to find innovative solutions to fast-track tourism recovery in Southeast Asia in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The campaign "Re-establishing Tourism Confidence through Innovative Digital Solutions" puts the spo
The Dabancheng Wind Farm in the People's Republic of China. Photo by ADB.
The 27th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee was held on 15 October 2020 via web-based conferencing. The National Energy Administration of the People's Republic of China (PRC), in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organized the meeting.
The 8th Mekong–RoK Business Forum was held in-person in Hanoi, Viet Nam, and online. Photo by TTXVN via Viet Nam Plus.
The 8th Mekong–Republic of Korea (RoK) Business Forum acknowledged how the RoK and the Mekong countries sustained their trade to 2019 levels amid the pandemic by upholding their trade relations. The Forum was held on 4 December in-person in Hanoi, Viet Nam, and online.
The 24th GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-24) was held on 4 November 2020 with the theme “Pave the way to a more integrated, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous GMS.”
The 11th Economic Corridors Forum (ECF-11) was held on 28 October 2020 with the theme “Boosting Competitiveness, Connectivity, and Community in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Corridors through Focused and Integrated Spatial Development.”
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program convened a Development Partners’ Meeting on 20 October 2020 via web-based conferencing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
