On 12 July 2022, H.E. Ms. Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Ambassador Attached to the Ministry and Thai SOM Leader for Mekong Cooperation, attended the Mekong - Republic of Korea Cooperation (Mekong - ROK) Senior Officials’ Meeting, via video conference.
 
The Meeting reviewed the progress of the Mekong - ROK, especially the ROK’s active role and constructive engagement in the Mekong sub-region’s sustainable development through its financial contribution to the Mekong - Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF). The said contribution has been increased every year, from 1 million US dollars in 2016 to 5 million US dollars in this year.  The MKCF has supported development cooperation projects by member countries in various areas. As for Thailand, there have been five projects funded by the MKCF, two of which were completed and the rest are ongoing. The Mekong Institute, project coordinator, informed the Meeting that it planned to annouce the result of the selection of member countries’ project proposals for this year’s MKCF funding by September 2022.
 
The Meeting exchanged views on the future direction of the Mekong - ROK with a view to moving forward the framework in an innovative way and in line with the ROK’s strength in human resource development, advanced technology and green growth for shared peace, prosperity and sustainability of the Mekong sub-region and the ROK. In this regard, the ROK emphasised the importance of the sub-region as an engine of the world and the Indo - Pacific region and its readiness to forge future-oriented partnership with Mekong countries. In addition, the Meeting discussed about the preparation for the 12th Mekong - ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 3rd Mekong - ROK Summit which will be held later this year.
 
The Thai SOM Leader for Mekong Cooperation emphasized issues for Mekong - ROK cooperation for the sub-region’s post-COVID-19 sustainable, secure and inclusive recovery namely: (1) comprehensive public health cooperation, smart agriculture, and food security; (2) green growth, development of digital knowledge and literacy, and synergy between Thailand’s BCG Economy Model and the ROK’s green policy to maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability; (3) people-to-people connectivity and private sector’s participation through the Mekong - ROK Business Council and Forum; and (4) building synergy between Mekong - ROK and other sub-regional cooperation frameworks, particularly ACMECS which acts as a connector to bridge and align strategic interests of Mekong countries and development partners.
 
Mekong - ROK was established in 2011, comprising of five Mekong countries and the ROK. Currently, guided by the Plan of Action 2021 - 2025, it is based on three pillars, namely People, Prosperity and Peace, and seven cooperation areas, namely (1) culture and tourism, (2) human resources development, (3) agriculture and rural development, (4) infrastructure, (5) information and communication technology, (6) environment, and (7) non-traditional security challenges.