The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
opened in Hanoi on August 19 in the presence of the Asian
Development Bank’s (ADB) representative.
At the
function, the heads of delegations from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar,
Thailand and the host country reviewed the results of development
cooperation within the framework of the Vientiane Action Programme (VPA)
for the 2008-2012 period relating to the results of the second GMS
economic corridor forum and the GMS business forum.
They will also discuss reports to the 16 th GMS Ministerial
Conference on the GMS railway link, the action plan for the second phase
of the key environment programme, technical support to promote
renewable energies and energy efficiency within GMS and the key
agricultural support programme for 2011-2015 period.
The initial draft of the new GMS long-term strategic framework,
action programmes on facilitating trade and transportation within GMS
and the action plan and strategy for the southern GMS economic corridor
have also tabled for discussion.
The General
Director of the ADB’s Southeast Asia Department Kunio Senga, who is
co-chair of the SOM, said he hoped GMS countries will work out measures
to enhance infrastructure, organise cross border trade, improve the
business environment and ensure social and environmental protection
throughout the sub-region.
Since 1992, six GMS
countries have been involved in a comprehensive economic cooperation
programme in transport, energy, telecommunications, human resources
development, the environment, natural resources management, trade
facilitation, private investment, tourism and agriculture with
assistance from the ADB and other development partners.
The 16 th GMS Ministerial Conference themed “GMS in the next decade:
New frontiers of cooperation” is scheduled to open in Hanoi on
August 20./.
