A string of summits which aim to further links among Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries will take place in Hà Nội next week, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. — Photo baoquocte.vn

HÀ NỘI — A string of summits which aim to further links among Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries will take place in Hà Nội next week, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 8th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Việt Nam Summit (CLMV 8) and the 7th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 7) will be held at the National Convention Centre from October 24-26, said Deputy Minister Đặng Đình Quý at an international press briefing yesterday.

On the occasion, at Việt Nam’s initiative, the World Economic Forum on Mekong region (WEF Mekong) will be organised for the first time alongside the CLMV 8 and ACMECS 7 to promote the region’s potential to the international business community.

With the theme of “Seizing opportunities, shaping the future”, the CLMV-8 will discuss opportunities and challenges facing the economies of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Việt Nam and co-operation measures to improve their competitiveness and regional integration, Quý said.

The ACMECS is part of the economic co-operation framework between the five Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Việt Nam. Themed “Towards a dynamic and prosperous Mekong sub-region”, it will focus on discussing measures to increase regional linkage to boost economic integration and increase co-operation between ACMECS countries for the sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc will chair ACMECS 7 and CLMV 8.

The summits will see the attendance of leaders of Việt Nam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, as well as representatives from international organisations, WEF’s member businesses and major enterprises in countries sharing the Mekong River, and scholars.

The highlight of the CLMV and ACMECS co-operation is to aim for specific results with outstanding projects and programmes, such as the new roads in the East-West Economic Corridor and the South Economic Belt, and the bilateral and multilateral agreements on transport, customs and immigration procedures, and scholarships. 

The CLMV and ACMECS are also important mechanisms for Mekong countries to co-ordinate efforts to cement trust and hold dialogues to seek solutions to common challenges like water resources, climate change and diseases based on the harmony of interests of all sides. 

The organisation board will operate a press centre in the National Convention Centre from October 23-26 to enable domestic and foreign reporters to cover the meetings, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lê Hải Bình. - VNS