Thailand will host the six-Nation Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit during 19-20 December 2014 at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok under the theme “Committed to Inclusive and Sustainable Development in the GMS”.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will chair the 5th GMS Summit, with President Thein Sein of Myanmar, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang of China, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong of Lao PDR and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Viet Nam having confirmed their attendance. Mr. Takehiko Nakao, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will also attend.

Since the formation of GMS in 1992, ADB has supported the implementation of projects under GMS economic cooperation programme in 9 major areas; namely transport, telecommunications, energy, trade, investment, agriculture, environment, tourism, and human resource development.

Over 500 participants are expected at related meetings comprising (1) GMS Investment Forum (2) GMS Business Forum (3) Development Partners’ Roundtable, and (4) GMS Youth Forum. The outcome of the meetings will be reported to the Leaders on 20 December 2014.

The Leaders are expected to issue a Joint Declaration to reaffirm their commitment to implement programmes for inclusive and sustainable development in the GMS. They will consider proposals such as the Urban Development Strategic Framework, the setting up of the GMS Regional Power Coordination Centre and the Greater Mekong Railway Association.

The Leaders will also consider approval of the Regional Investment Framework Implementation Plan (RIF IP) in order to expedite proposed plans worth 51.5 billion US dollars covering 10 development areas that range from transport to energy, agriculture, environment, human resources development, urban development, tourism, transport and trade facilitation, ICT and others.

Out of the 215 proposed investment projects and technical assistance projects, 78 projects proposed by Thailand are worth 5.5 billion US dollars accounting for 10.6 per cent of the total investment in the GMS RIF. One of Thailand’s most important projects is the construction of the motorway between Bang Yai – Kanchanaburi worth 2 billion US dollars. This route will provide future linkage in connecting Laem Chabang port on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard to the Bay of Bengal through Dawei in Myanmar.

Investment in GMS transportation linkages will contribute to the development of regional economic corridors and the broader regional connectivity initiatives. Increased connectivity within GMS will generate public and private mobilisation of resources as well as facilitate cross-border trade and investment, and labour mobility. 
 
The 5th GMS Summit in Thailand will provide a great opportunity to advance the GMS economic cooperation programme, which will enhance economic opportunities for a combined population of over 300 million people in the Mekong Subregion, potentially making it a main engine of global economic growth.