Orientation of Mekong-Korea cooperation in the new period

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposed many measures to promote MKC cooperation to become a model of sub-regional cooperation based on the spirit of "working together, enjoying together, winning together, and developing together".

Member countries affirmed that after 5 years of upgrading to Strategic Partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace , MKC cooperation has achieved many results, bringing practical benefits to people and businesses. Localities, research institutes and non-profit organizations of Mekong countries have been implementing 36 projects worth more than 20 million USD funded by the MKC Cooperation Fund.

Over the past 12 MKC Business Forums, dozens of cooperation agreements have been signed between Korean enterprises and businesses and localities in Mekong countries to expand investment and business activities in the sub-region. The Korea-Mekong Water Resources Center has mobilized regional and international knowledge and financial resources to support the construction of a data sharing system for sustainable and effective management of Mekong River water resources.

The Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea have set out a 2026-2030 Action Plan that will focus on new areas to meet development needs in the digital age, enhance the competitiveness of member countries, and respond more effectively to transnational crimes, especially online fraud.

The MKC mechanism includes six members: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. This is the third time Vietnam has taken on the role of co-chair of MKC cooperation after 2015 and 2020.

In his speech and chairing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposed many measures to promote MKC cooperation to become a model of sub-regional cooperation based on the spirit of "working together, enjoying together, winning together, developing together".

First, the highest priority is to resume the Mekong-ROK Summit in 2025 after a five-year hiatus to reaffirm at the highest level the commitment to building a self-reliant, prosperous, and people-centered Mekong-ROK community.

Second , in the new development stage, MKC focuses on innovation as the key driving force, puts people at the center of development, ensures water - food - energy security, develops cultural industries...

Third , Vietnam plans to host the 13th MKC Business Forum with the theme “Digitalization and Innovation: Key to Promoting Mekong-Korea Enterprises Transformation and Cooperation” in September 2025.

Member countries highly appreciated the co-chairing role of Vietnam and Korea in promoting major orientations to build the MKC Action Plan for the period 2026 - 2030. At the end of the Conference, Vietnam and Korea issued a Co-Chairing Statement.

The MKC mechanism includes six members: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. This is the third time Vietnam has taken on the role of co-chair of MKC cooperation after 2015 and 2020.