On 6 August 2017, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand attended the 10th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, with H.E. Mr. Taro Kono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan as Chairman of the Meeting. Other participants from Mekong countries include, H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, H.E. U Kyaw Tin, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic Union of Myanmar, and H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

 

The Foreign Ministers of the Mekong Countries and Japan discussed the progress and future direction of Mekong - Japan Cooperation (MJ) and adopted the Chair's Statement of the 10th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which reviews the progress of MJ based on the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 and expresses concerns on regional issues. The Foreign Ministers thanked Japan for the development assistance provided to CLMV countries and the implementation of the Japan - Mekong Connectivity Initiative that promotes both hard and soft connectivity. In September 2017, Japan will host a workshop on custom clearance in Viet Nam to further software connectivity in the region. The Foreign Ministers also recognised the Thailand’s partnership role in the development of the Mekong region, with focus on human resource development and custom clearance. The Foreign Ministers also highlighted the importance of Quality Development, Green Growth and human security in which can serve as a relevant platform for discussion during the 5th Green Mekong Forum to be held in Bangkok.

 

Thailand stressed the importance of human development as a key factor, crucial for seamless connectivity in the region. In this regard, Thailand expressed its determination to continue the Third Country Training Programme to further human resource development in the region. On this occasion, Thailand expressed its commitment to the region's development as Chair of Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). The Ministers supported Thailand’s introduction of the ACMECS Master Plan, which addresses infrastructure, software connectivity, and human resource development.

 

The MJ was initiated in 2008 with 6 members: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Japan. The key objective of MJ is to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation to elevate the well-being of the peoples in the Mekong region, as well as narrowing down the development gap in ASEAN.