BANGKOK(NNT) – Thailand’s Prime Minister today joined the 3rd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Summit, held virtually via video conference, where leaders from the sub-region discussed economic cooperation to help with recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to all.
The Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has joined a video conference, from government house in Bangkok, with leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and China in the 3rd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Summit, held under the theme of Enhancing Partnership for Shared Prosperity.
The summit was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, and China’s Premier Li Keqiang. Both thanked the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation member states for multilateral help and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that such cooperation must be maintained to enable sustainable economic development.
The Prime Minister of Thailand has delivered his remarks, supporting cooperation between member states, stressing this crisis as an opportunity to further enhance cooperation and partnerships, increasing the wealth of the people without leaving anyone behind.
He stressed cooperation in several areas, starting with water management for the people along the Mekong river through the Mekong River Commission, and the holding of regular ministerial meetings on water resources to push for concrete results from the cooperation.
On security and public health, Thailand stressed its preparedness for international COVID-19 vaccine research and development cooperation, within the World Health Organization’s framework, while positioning itself as the region’s hub for medicine and vaccine production.
Thailand and all Mekong-Lancang Cooperation member states have agreed that once an effective vaccine has been developed, it should be accessible by all.
On the enhancement of connectivity within the Mekong sub-region, Thailand pledged to cooperate in all aspects to help distribute wealth to areas disconnected from economic corridors, and to promote connections between different economic corridors.
The Thai Prime Minister also urged member states to help one another stimulate economic activity, including border trade, tourism and travel, to help with the sub-region’s sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
