Hanoi (VNA) – Cambodian Deputy Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn said on August 3 that Cambodia will cooperate with the US within the Mekong River connectivity frameworks.

Co-chairing the 2nd Mekong-US Partnership Ministerial Meeting (MUSP) via videoconference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Prak Sokhonn confirmed that Cambodia is ready to continue joint efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, address common challenges including but not limited to climate change and transnational crimes, and effectively promote socio-economic recovery, according to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

He noted that the Mekong sub-region, covering Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, has a total population of 240 million, 40 percent of whom are under the age of 25, making it an attractive hub for the light manufacturing industry and further integration into the global supply chain. The US exports about 26 billion USD in goods and services to the Mekong sub-region and in turn imports about 89.94 billion USD worth of products.

Cambodia hopes to see more private sector investment in tourism, small and medium enterprises, and other priority sectors in the country, with the support from the US and its allies to boost economic growth during and after the pandemic, the official said.

He also expressed his support for the initiative for Gender Equality Policy Dialogue, which focuses on women’s economic empowerment, focusing on post-COVID-19 recovery and climate crisis; women’s peace and security, focusing on women’s leadership; and preventing and responding to gender-based violence, with the hope that these programmes will provide effective input and recommendations on how to empower women and contribute to social progress.

Cambodia, through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, is ready to work with the US and other members to achieve this common goal, the official added./.