Leaders of Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) member countries, namely Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, H.E. U Win Myint, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, are scheduled to attend the 8^th ACMECS Summit and related Meeting, to be held in Bangkok during 15 – 16 June 2018.

            The Summit will be held on 16 June 2018 under the theme “Towards an Integrated and Connected Mekong Community”. Prior to the Summit, on 15 June 2018, ACMECS CEO Forum will be held under the theme “Connecting our Future: Enhancing ACMECS Cooperation and Integration” as a platform for the leaders and representatives from public and private sectors to network and exchange their views on trade and investment.

            The Summit will adopt 2 documents:
            1. Bangkok Declaration which underlines the commitment of member countries to achieve sustainable cooperation that will achieve tangible outcomes.
            2. ACMECS Master Plan (2019 – 2023) which focuses on the 3 main pillars (3S), (1) Seamless Connectivity (2) Synchronized ACMECS and (3) Smart and Sustainable ACMECS, and will be used as a roadmap to enhance cooperation among members, as well as engage the future development partners.

            The new elements to be highlighted this year include the leaders’ discussion during the Summit to explore possibilities of setting up an ACMECS Fund and an ACMECS Infrastructure Fund and Trust as possible modalities of funding for projects in the Master Plan, and the participation of development partners, representatives from non-member countries, international organizations, and private sectors in the Opening Ceremony and the ACMECS CEO Forum.