Leaders of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) nations concluded their two-day summit in the Myanmar capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on Dec. 20 after issuing a joint declaration.

In the deceleration, themed “Beyond 2012: Towards a New Decade of GMS Strategic Development Partnership,” the leaders of Cambodia , China , Laos , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam reiterated their commitment to GMS cooperation and their resolve to complete joint actions in the next stage.

The summit approved a GMS Strategic Framework for the 2012-2022 period which serves as a foundation and orientation for economic cooperation in the region.

The declaration stressed that the 10-year framework needs to pay more attention to investment in solid infrastructure, software and multi-sectoral coordination.

In preparation for the investment framework and effective implementation of the framework, the leaders also highlighted the need to closely combine sub-regional strategy and the national economic development strategy, along with feasible investment demands and human resource utilisation.

They expressed their belief that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners will continue their support for GMS nations to help them fulfil their targets and aspirations in the next period.

At the summit, the leaders ratified environmental, agricultural and climate change programmes./.