H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs will accompany Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha (ret.) to attend the First Mekong - Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Leaders’ Meeting between 22 - 23 March 2016 in Sanya, Hainan, China. The Meeting will be co-chaired by the Thai Prime Minister and Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

The Leaders will review the progress of MLC, which has developed from Thailand’s initiative on sustainable development in the Mekong – Lancang sub-region and supported by China and all Mekong countries, as well as look towards its future development.  The Meeting will also consider the endorsement of three outcome documents, namely, (1) Sanya Declaration, (2) Joint Statement on Production Capacity Cooperation, and (3) Joint List of Early Harvest Projects.

Uniting Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, MLC aims to achieve sustainable development in the sub-region, narrow development gaps within the sub-region and among ASEAN countries, thereby support ASEAN Community building.  With the focus on concrete results, cooperation under MLC will complement and add value to existing frameworks.  As the chair of the Group of 77 this year, Thailand is determined to push forth cooperation in various areas in MLC to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a successful example of South - South Cooperation.

Besides, the Prime Minister is invited to attend the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016, held under the theme "Asia's New Future: New Dynamics, New Vision." He will also deliver a speech focusing on connectivity, promotion of “stability, prosperity and sustainability,” and enhancement of the cooperation of public and private sectors. The Boao Forum for Asia was first held in 2001 as a joint proposal from Mr. Fidel Ramos, then-President of the Phillippines, Mr. Bob Hawke, then-Prime Minister of Australia, and Mr. Morihiro Hosokawa, then-Prime Minister of Japan to Mr. Hu Jintao, then-Deputy President of China. It is aimed to be a forum for public, private and academic figures to exchange ideas and visions, and currently consists of 28 member countries.