23rd GMS Ministerial Conference

Event

17-18 November 2019
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Background

The Ministerial Conference of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program designates Ministers to provide strategic and policy directions to the program, and oversees progress in identifying and implementing “results-oriented” subregional cooperation initiatives. The Ministers’ Retreat, organized as part of the Ministerial Conference, is a forum for more interactive and substantive exchange of ideas. Organized annually, the Ministerial Conference also serves as the venue in which member governments interact and coordinate with development partners, including the private sector, through a separate Development Partners’ Meeting. Encapsulating the discussions of the Ministerial Conference is a joint ministerial statement issued at the end of the event.

Ministerial Conferences preceding a triennial GMS Summit bear more significance as the Ministers agree on recommendations and items for consideration by the GMS Leaders based on proposals and reports from GMS Senior Officials. Member countries take turns in hosting the Ministerial Conference. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) as the GMS Secretariat supports the organization of the Ministerial Conference. Since the inception of the GMS Program, 22 ministerial conferences have been organized. The last Ministerial Conference was held in September 2017 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.

Hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia, the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-23) will be held on 17-18 November 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It carries the theme "Greater Integration, Inclusivity and Sustainability in the GMS.”

MC-23 aims to ensure the successful preparation of the 7th GMS Summit of Leaders. Among others, the MC-23 will finalize the proposed long term strategic framework of GMS for the GMS Leaders’ consideration and possible endorsement at the 7th GMS Summit. The MC-23 will also be briefed on the preliminary results of a research program that aims to support the implementation of the new GMS strategy through policy recommendations. The new GMS Health Cooperation Strategy 2019-2023 will be officially launched at the MC-23. At the Development Partners’ (DPs) Meeting, DPs will be briefed on the key elements of the proposed new GMS strategy, and be updated on the progress of the GMS Regional Investment Framework 2022 with a discussion on possible areas for cooperation.

On Day 1, 17 November 2019, the MC-23 will commence with an internal GMS Senior Officials’ Meeting in the morning. This is followed by the Development Partners’ Meeting (DPM) in the afternoon. A welcome reception hosted by ADB will be held in the evening.

On Day 2, 18 November 2019, a closed-door Ministerial Retreat will be held in the morning. The formal plenary Ministerial Meeting will take place in the afternoon. The MC-23 will culminate with a gala dinner courtesy of the Host Government.

These meetings will bring together the GMS Ministers and Senior Officials of the six GMS countries (Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam); and representatives from ADB, development partners and the private sector. Media representatives are also expected to witness the open sessions.