On 6 September 2022, Mae Fah Laung University and Thailand's Mekong Cooperation Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organised the ACMECS Seminar: Connecting the Sustainable Development of Greater Mekong Subregion at Kham Mok Luang Room, Mae Fah Laung University.
This seminar aimed to gather ideas and suggestions of experts and every sector for setting strategies and directions for the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy. It was also expected to disseminate information and create understanding of ACMECS and the implementation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs among stakeholders.
H.E. Mrs. Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Ambassador for the Mekong Cooperation and Assoc. Prof. Dr.Chayaporn Wattanasiri presided over the opening ceremony. After that, in the panel discussion, four keynote speakers including Dr. Jak Sangchai, Head of the Mekong Cooperation Unit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Asst. Prof. Dr.Narut Charoensri from the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University; Mr. Chotipun Jullapech, Director of Safe Mekong Coordination Center, Office of the Narcotics Control Board; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen Kosaikanont, Centre Director of SEAMEO RIHED presented their knowledge about roles of Thailand and ACMECS in promoting cooperation in the region, promoting connectivity to increase trade and investment, non-traditional threats, sustainable development of the GMS with education and human resources respectively.
The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy or ACMECS is a cooperation framework among Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam initiated in 2003 to utilise member countries’ diverse strengths and to promote balanced development in the subregion. Now, ACMECS has adopted a 5-year master plan (2019 - 2023) focusing on three goals: seamless connectivity, synchronized ACMECS and smart and sustainable ACMECS.
