On 7 May 2026, Ms. Prangthip Chansomsak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, delivered opening remarks at the 2026 Mekong - U.S. Partnership Policy Dialogue (MUSP) at Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, Bangkok. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Jiraporn Wattanasophorn, Director of the Division of Economic Relations and Cooperation, Department of International Economic Affairs, and Mr. Edward Dunn, Deputy Director for Mainland Southeast Asia, Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. In attendance were delegates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant U.S. technical agencies, as well as Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) member countries.

The Meeting welcomed progress in cooperation between the Mekong countries and the U.S. under the MUSP framework and discussed ways to advance cooperation in a strategic and coordinated manner to support the sustainable development of the Mekong subregion. The discussion focused on three key areas of mutual interest: (1) responsible water and natural resource management; (2) economic connectivity in promising sectors, such as energy, critical minerals, agriculture, digital economy, energy, and trade; and (3) combating transnational crime, particularly online scams. On this occasion, Thailand handed over the MUSP co-chairmanship for the 2026 term to Viet Nam.