H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, highlighted five priority areas for future direction of the Mekong-Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation, at the 12th Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic late last week.
The five priority areas focus on (1) Human Resources Development (2) Climate Change Adaptation and Management of Natural Resources (3) Agriculture and Rural Development (4) Non- traditional Security Issues and (5) People-to-People Exchange, which will elevate inclusive and sustainable development in the sub-region, said a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued this afternoon.
According to the source, in the meeting, the Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers took note with satisfaction the positive progress and fruitful development achieved so far under Mekong-ROK Cooperation since its establishment in 2011, es
pecially the productive implementation of the Plan of Action 2021-2025 on the Mekong-ROK Cooperation, contributing to the strengthening of sub-regional connectivity, promoting competitiveness, narrowing the development gap in the Mekong sub-region and building a more resilient community.
The Foreign Ministers also applauded the successful organisation of the 11th Mekong-ROK Business Forum co-chaired by Cambodia and the Republic of Korea in Seoul last November, which provided ample opportunity for strengthening business partnership and further deepening economic cooperation, trade and investment between the Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea. The Meeting also looked forward to the next productive Mekong-ROK Business Forum to be co-chaired by Lao PDR and the Republic of Korea in Vientiane next month.
The Foreign Ministers underscored their steadfast commitment to further strengthening Mekong-ROK Cooperation based on the three pillars of People, Prosperity and Peace and the seven priority areas in the
Mekong-Han Declaration in order to promote sustainable development and bring about mutual benefits and prosperity in the Mekong sub-region.
During the Meeting, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister SOK Chenda Sophea appreciated the Republic of Korea’s crucial role as a key partner in promoting sustainable development in the sub-region through official development assistance and annual contribution to the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund and welcomed the Republic of Korea for its recent commitment to increase financial contribution through the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund to US$10 million by the year 2027. He also extended Cambodia’s sincere gratitude to the Republic of Korea for supporting the works of mine action in Cambodia in order to end the negative impact of mines/ERW and achieve the 18th Sustainable Development Goal.
The Meeting concluded with the exchange of views on regional and international issues of common concern.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse
