MI Executive Director attends 25th Ministerial Conference of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)
December 8, 2022
Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, MI Executive Director, attended the 25th GMS Ministerial Conference from December 6 – 8, 2022 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.
Held on the theme “Accelerating Economic Recovery to Expand 30 Years of GMS Achievements Toward Inclusive and Sustainable Development”, the main aim of the MC-25 was to celebrate the GMS Program’s 30th Anniversary, and commemorate its significant achievements in subregional cooperation and integration in the last three decades. It also provided an opportunity to follow up on the GMS Leaders’ mandates to achieve the new GMS vision of a more integrated, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive subregion.
The Conference thus comprised a series of events. Among them was the GMS Development Partners' Meeting, where MI was invited to advocate for stronger support to post COVID-19 recovery, particularly in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
“Although the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the future is not yet entirely bright. For developing countries, much remains to be done in terms of recovery. Aside from national agendas, there are also pressing regional issues which need attention. To support the GMS countries in bouncing back better, MI stands ready to assist in implementation and knowledge exchange, and in facilitating dialogue by contributing and putting our knowledge, experience, capacities and the extensive regional, national and local networks for the benefits of the people.,” said Mr. Suriyan.
At the GMS Ministerial Retreat, MI, in its capacity as the Regional Coordinator of the GMS Knowledge Network, was invited to present the concept and plan of the GMSKN to the GMS Ministers on the need to promote knowledge-based policy and support in translating knowledge to action.
The event was attended by a total of around 150 participants — ministers, deputy ministers, state-level coordinators and senior officials of the GMS countries, representatives from the Asian Development Bank, development partners and private sector representatives.
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