On 19 March 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, co-organised the “Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Week 2025” in Bangkok, another activity marking Thailand’s assumption of the co-chairmanship of the MLC with China for 2024-2025. The event was co-chaired by Mr. Chettaphan Maksamphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Ms. Waraporn Rungtrakan, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; and H.E. Mr. Han Zhiqiang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand. MLC Week 2025 featured two sessions: (1) the launching ceremony of Thai projects funded by the MLC Special Fund (MLCSF) and a forum on “Guidelines on the MLC Special Fund Management” in the morning, and (2) a forum on “Discussion on Sharing Insights and Best Practices in Project Management and Implementation under the MLC Special Fund” in the afternoon.

The activity reflected the close cooperation between the Mekong countries and China under the MLC framework, which Thailand played a key role in establishing the said framework in 2016. Furthermore, Thai agencies have implemented over 90 projects under the MLCSF, including 16 projects funded this year, covering areas such as public health, clean energy, and climate change adaptation, all of which will contribute to subregional development across various fields.

The event attracted over 2,700 participants, including representatives from government agencies, embassies of MLC member countries, the private sector, academia, the media, and the public, attending both in person and via an online platform.