BÌNH PHƯỚC – Solutions to raise the living standards of people residing in the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area were given at a conference in the southern province of Bình Phước.

Creating a livelihood for local people through the development of organic farming in connection with environmental protection was one such solution, agreed competent officials of the Environment-Social Affairs Sub-Committee at the 8^th gathering held, as part of the 11th meeting of the joint coordination committee of the area to strengthen the trilateral solidarity and traditional friendship, from Sunday to Tuesday. 

Other solutions in the package included the development of interregional tours, information transmission, preservation of local cultures, protection of water resources and proper use of water resources in the Mekong Delta River to cope with impacts of climate change.

Generally speaking, the solutions aimed to better protect the environment and to equip local people with better earning tools, which will give an impetus to the socio-economic development of the three countries in the area, Vietnam News Agency reported.

It was stated at the event that under the close co-ordination of Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam, environmental protection, especially responses to climate change in the triangle development area, had made progress.

Nevertheless, the socio-economic development had brought about negative influences on the environment, life and traditional customs and practices of the population in these countries. Continuous natural disasters required further coordination in environmental protection and the improved awareness of local people in this regard.

On the same day, the 10th meeting of the CLV Development Triangle Area’s Security – Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee also took place in the province to discuss external security work to better co-operate in and ensure political security of the three countries.

Based on contents inked at the previous meeting, the three countries have closely worked with each other to control border security, manage borderlines and effectively fight against cross-border drug trafficking, human trafficking and other crimes.

The parties also smoothly exchanged information to deal with existing shortcomings, related to immigration and border division and organised people-to-people exchanges.

On the sidelines of the 11th meeting of the joint coordination committee of the area, a trade and tourism fair of the CLV Development Triangle Area opened in the province on Saturday.

The four-day event features 100 pavilions introducing typical products of the area and enables businesses to share experiences, promote brands and seek partners, as well as expand economic cooperation exchanges between the three countries. 

The CLV Development Triangle Area was established in 1999, covering 13 provinces, including four from Cambodia, four from Laos and five from Việt Nam.

Youth’s joint statement

Also yesterday, representatives of youth delegations from the three countries signed the Joint Statement of the CLV Triangle Development Area’s Youth Forum, calling for reinforced and expanded co-operation in various fields.

Educating younger generations about the friendship and solidarity among the three countries, boosting co-operation among young businesses and entrepreneurs and encouraging local youth to start their own businesses for sustainable development were key contents of the document.

Released following a full working day of the 7^th youth forum, the statement also highlighted the sharing of experience, introduction of profound entrepreneurs and development of voluntary forces for national and international community security, among others. — VNS