Prime Minister supported the enhancing of Strategic Partnership between Mekong sub-regional countries and the Republic of Korea and highlighted the strengthening of public health cooperation in response to COVID-19 and connectivity to strengthen sub-regional and global supply chains at the 2nd Mekong-ROK Summit.

On 13 November 2020, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the 2nd Mekong-ROK Summit via videoconference, which was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the President of the Republic of Korea.

The Meeting reviewed past achievements, discussed regional and global issues, as well as exchanged views on future directions of the Mekong-ROK cooperation, with the emphasis on continued cooperation to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure sustainable economic recovery.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister commended the Republic of Korea’s initiative in enhancing Strategic partnership under the New Southern Policy Plus and highlighted the importance of cooperation on two main issues; (1) Strengthening Public Health Cooperation through the sharing of experiences and best practices in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic which is in line with the recently approved project proposal from Thailand, under the 4th batch projects under Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund and (2) Enhancing connectivity to strengthen sub-regional and global supply chains to promote the resilience of the supply chains to ensure sustainable post-pandemic economic recovery.

The Meeting adopted the Joint Statement of the 2nd Mekong-ROK Summit, the outcome document reaffirming member countries’ commitment to enhance cooperation for People, Prosperity and Peace in the Mekong sub-region.

The Mekong-ROK cooperation framework, established in 2011, aims to promote friendship and cooperation in political, economic, social and cultural areas among member countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and the ROK). This cooperation framework was elevated to the Leader’s level following the Inaugural Mekong-ROK Summit in Busan, ROK, on 27 November 2019.