MI-CSG RENEW PARTNERSHIP
May 2, 2022
Commitment to greater power interconnection and energy transition in the Lancang-Mekong Countries were reaffirmed following the signing of the Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Mekong Institute (MI) and China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. (CSG) on April 7, which was taking place in conjunction with the World Sustainable Energy Days (April 6-8, 2022) as well as the 2022 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Week. The event was honorably attended by distinguished guests from MI, CSG, CSG Yunnan International Co., Ltd., and the Permanent Mission of China to UNESCAP.
The CSG-MI Partnership will see a further and wider cooperation coverage. Beginning in 2015, The cooperation has been successfully facilitating twelve bilateral energy agreements, linking Lancang-Mekong policy leaders with international energy experts, and empowering 410 “power fellows” to advocate clean power connectivity across the region. The cooperation automated power distribution in Vietnam and enhanced the power trading in the Lancang-Mekong Region at impact level as well.
“The renewal of this agreement is a high affirmation of the achievements of our cooperation over the years, and it is also a new starting point for our joint follow-up cooperation towards a deeper and wider field. CSG is willing to further cooperate closely with MI to promote the implementation of the agreement with tangible results,” said by Mr. Zhang Wenfeng, Vice President of CSG, during the ceremony.
Director of Agricultural Development and Commercialization Department, Ms. Maria Theresa S. Medialdia, on behalf of MI Executive Director, stated, “MI expects that the cooperation would be a vehicle to the long process of regional power interconnectivity that needs to be built up over stages. More importantly, we are also hopeful that the cooperation would contribute to achieving SDG 7 which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
Mr. Ke Yousheng, Permanent Representative of China to UNESCAP and MI Steering Committee Member for China, stated, “I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the fruitful results achieved by MI and CSG. It has promoted the power connectivity as well as economic and social development in the sub-region, and established a successful example of cooperation between international institutions and enterprises in the sub-region.”
The deployed activities for the next phase of 2022-2025 will not only strengthen capacities of those in the energy field but also broaden cooperation by enhancing multi-stakeholder engagement for sustainable and equitable clean energy development and practices.