On 7 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, to attend the 10th ACMECS Summit in Kunming, which the Lao PDR, as the current ACMECS Chair, hosted and chaired under the theme “Towards Seamless Connectivity for Mekong Sub-regional Integration.”

The Summit adopted the Vientiane Declaration of the 10th ACMECS Summit, which reflects the Leaders’ intention to promote cooperation in jointly addressing common challenges in the sub-region and emphasised the importance of the Bangkok Declaration 2018 in which member countries agreed to establish the ACMECS Development Fund (ACMDF). The Summit also congratulated on the success of the establishment of the ACMECS Interim Secretariat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and welcomed New Zealand as the latest ACMECS Development Partner (7th country), being confident that the latter will play an important role in the sub-region.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister highlighted the cooperation in promoting sub-regional interests and potentials, emphasizing on concerted efforts in managing challenges and threats, including transnational crimes, especially illegal drug trafficking and cybercrime, air pollution and natural disasters caused by climate change, which Thailand has proposed the Concept Note on Water Resources Management in the Mekong sub-region. This Concept Note aims to provide guidelines for member countries to enhance cooperation and improve water resources management efficiency in both short and long terms, for mutual benefits of the peoples in all ACMECS countries.