Japan – Mekong foreign ministers gather in Laos
Foreign ministers from Japan and five Mekong river countries got together at the 9th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Laos, on July 25, alongside the 49th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.
Foreign ministers from Japan and five Mekong river countries got together at the 9th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos, on July 25. (Photo: mofa.go.jp)Vientiane (VNA) – Foreign ministers from Japan and five Mekong river countries got together at the 9th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos, on July 25, alongside the 49th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-49).
The meeting was chaired by Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith with their counterparts from Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand in attendance.
Ministers reviewed Mekong-Japan cooperation based upon the “New Tokyo Strategy 2015” and the “Mekong-Japan Action Plan for Realisation of the New Tokyo Strategy” for 2016-2018.
They also discussed preparations for the 8th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting to be held on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit in Laos in September.
The ministers of Mekong countries welcomed the Mekong-Japan Connectivity Initiative proposed by Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida in his ASEAN Policy Speech in Bangkok, Thailand on May 2, 2016 and decided to establish senior-level working groups to advance the Mekong-Japan Action Plan for Realisation of the New Tokyo Strategy which was funded 750 billion JPY by Japan.
They expressed their appreciation for the Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure of the government of Japan with the financing of approximately 200 billion USD.
The ministers emphasised the importance of human resources development, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaption, and sustainable management of water resources.
They agreed to strengthen collaboration between the Mekong-Japan Cooperation and the Mekong River Commission for sustainable development towards a green Mekong.
They also discussed issues of common concern, particularly recent terrorist attacks, territorial disputes in the East Sea and the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to Mekong-Japan Cooperation.
He proposed that more focus should be put on environmental protection, green growth, adaption to climate change, and sustainable use and management of water resources.
The 10th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to convene in the Philippines in 2017 in coincidence with the AMM-50.-VNA
You should also see
Government urged to probe gold traders to prevent possible market manipulation
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee has asked the Government and the Prime Minister to investigate gold trading firms to promptly address any violations in business activities and possible market manipulation, amid soaring domestic prices.
See more
Health
Vietnam has first int’l trauma life support training centre
The International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Training Centre under the Ministry of National Defence’s Military Hospital 175 officially made its debut in Hanoi on April 15. This is the first of its kind in Vietnam and the fifth established in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN
Forum boosts economic ties among ASEAN, emerging economies, Russia
An economic cooperation forum on fostering ties between ASEAN and emerging economies, and Russia convened in Hanoi on April 12.
Culture - Sports
ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition 2024 to promote friendship
The Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will collaborate with relevant agencies to organise the ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition 2024.
ASEAN
Malaysia issues heatwave alert for 14 areas
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued hot weather warnings for 14 areas across the country, particularly in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah.
World
China, Thailand forge alliance for moon exploration
China and Thailand have inked preliminary agreements to collaborate on the peaceful exploration and use of space, as well as on the development of international lunar research stations.
