Mekong, RoK chart course for digital-era cooperation

In the new development phase, the Mekong-Korea Cooperation should focus on innovation as the key driving force, placing people at the centre of development while ensuring water-food-energy security and developing cultural industries, said Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Friday, July 11, 2025 21:05

At the 13th Mekong - RoK Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have set a forward-looking agenda for 2026–2030 prioritising sectors that meet development requirements in the digital age, helping strengthen competitive edge of the member states while responding more effectively to transnational crimes, particularly online fraud.

The information was heard at the 13th Mekong-Korea Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM MKC 13) co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Kuala Lumpur on July 11.

At the event, delegates from the six MKC countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the RoK, Thailand, and Vietnam, reaffirmed that five years after upgrading their ties to a Strategic Partnership for the people, prosperity, and peace, the MKC framework has delivered tangible results for citizens and businesses across the subregion.

Localities, research institutes, and non-profit organisations from the Mekong countries have implemented 36 projects worth over 20 million USD through MKC Fund’s financing. Through 12 editions of the MKC Business Forum, dozens of cooperation agreements were signed between the two sides, expanding investment and commercial activities throughout the subregion.

In his speech, Son proposed numerous measures to turn the MKC into a model of subregional collaboration in the spirit of “working together, sharing together, winning together, and developing together."

He suggested resuming the Mekong-Korea Summit this year after a five-year hiatus to reaffirm at the highest level the commitment to building a self-resilient, prosperous, and people-centred Mekong-Korea community. In the new development phase, the MKC should focus on innovation as the key driving force, placing people at the centre of development while ensuring water-food-energy security and developing cultural industries.

Furthermore, he stated that Vietnam plans to organise the 13th MKC Business Forum in September, focusing on digitalisation and innovation.

🎶 Member countries highly praised the co-chairing role of Vietnam and the RoK in promoting major orientations for building the MKC Action Plan for 2026-2030. Concluding the conference, Vietnam and the RoK issued a Joint Co-Chairs’ Statement./.

VNA

#Mekong countries #Republic of Korea #MKC Business Forum #digital-era cooperation Korea (RoK) ASEAN

See more

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks after receiving a royal endorsement in Bangkok on September 7, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

๊ Thai PM pushes ahead with 31.5-billion-USD land bridge to boost long-term growth

15/09/2025 17:24

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is driving forward the Land Bridge mega-project, valued at nearly 1 trillion THB (31.5 billion USD), to stimulate the economy and attract long-term investment.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

🀅 Event in Tel Aviv highlights Vietnamese cuisine, culture, tourism

15/09/2025 10:42

A discussion on Vietnamese cuisine, culture and tourism was held in Tel Aviv on September 14, aiming to deepen the understanding of Vietnamese culture and promote people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Israel, especially as the two countries expand cooperation across multiple fields.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thai PM prepares 120-day policy agenda

15/09/2025 04:06

Confirmed initiatives include the revival of the popular "Half-Half" co-payment scheme. Other proposals under discussion - though not yet finalised - include the "We Travel Together" tourism stimulus programme, decentralisation efforts and disaster mitigation strategies.

A screenshot of the article by the Cuban News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

💖 Vietnam – Cuba bonds: 52 years of unparalleled brotherhood

13/09/2025 16:28

Fidel’s words to the gathered soldiers: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood!” captured the very essence of the friendship forged between the two nations, a relationship nurtured through resilience, dignity, and internationalist spirit.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Nusantara Lima (N5) satellite lifted off from Cape Canaveral, US on September 10. (Photo: ANTARA)

🦩 Indonesia launches new satellite to expand internet access

13/09/2025 08:21

The satellite Nusantara 5 (N5), launched by Indonesia, is expected to strengthen connectivity in Indonesia's eastern region, supporting distance learning, digital health care, and providing access to information and entertainment for remote communities.

ℱ Indonesia designates 17 locations for blue carbon reserves

13/09/2025 04:09

Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is preparing 17 locations to be designated as specific national strategic areas (KSNT) for blue carbon reserves.

Indonesia to crack down on deepfake content

12/09/2025 20:12

The Indonesian Government is now drafting a new set of rules specifically focused on ethical and responsible AI deployment.

Malaysian Chief of Defence Force General Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Philippines Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr after a joint press conference at ACDFM-22. (Photo: Bernama)

ASEAN forms task force for regional security

12/09/2025 19:47

The ASEAN task force is not identical to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) but is intended to serve as a platform for collective discussions and joint actions when ASEAN countries face shared threats.

Police stand guard outside a police station in Bandung, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

♐ ASEAN agrees to submit three declarations on transnational crime to 47th Summit

12/09/2025 15:26

The 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) on September 11 agreed to present three ASEAN Leaders’ Declarations at the 47th ASEAN Summit in this October.

Organised by the Public Relations Department (PRD), the exhibition runs through September 16. (Photo: thaiprdnews.org.go.th)

𒐪 “Thainess Power” exhibition draws visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka

12/09/2025 10:04

Thailand’s “Thainess Power” exhibition at Expo 2025 Osaka has reportedly attracted more than 16,000 visitors since opening on September 1.

A diving team from the Papua Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) discovers nine World War II relics in the waters off Jayapura, Papua. (Photo: Antara)

൩ Indonesia discovers nine WWII underwater relics in Papua's waters

12/09/2025 03:08

The Indonesian government has discovered nine underwater archaeological remains linked to World War II in the waters off Jayapura city, Papua.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong speaks at an event in Japan (Photo: VNA)

♔ Singapore's Deputy PM suggests proposals to make difference for Asia

12/09/2025 02:21

With clashes arising from time to time worldwide, Asia should continue to keep dialogue channels open, exercise restraint when conflicts emerge, and strengthen regional mechanisms that can help manage differences.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono during a press conference after opneing a seminar organised by agriculture students in Jakarta on September 10. (Photo: ANTARA)

𝓀 Indonesia's rice imports limited to specialty dining needs

12/09/2025 01:01

In addition to rice, Indonesia is resolute in prohibiting imports of corn and table sugar in 2025, and is determined to optimise domestic production through pro-farmer policies in pursuit of food self-sufficiency.

Rachen Silparaya, Thai Director-General of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation. (Photo: thailand.prd.go.th)

𝔍 Thailand ranked first worldwide in weather modification

11/09/2025 23:30

Thailand, now ranked first in the world for weather modification, continues to expand its royal rainmaking programme to combat drought and support agriculture nationwide.

Deputy for Food Accessibility and Security, Nani Hendiarti, after attending the Katadata Sustainability Action for The Future Economy (SAFE) 2025 event in Jakarta on September 10, 2025. (Photo: ANTARA/Harianto)

𝓡 Indonesia to run 10 initiatives to bolster food system resilience

11/09/2025 19:40

The 10 initiatives include restoring the ecosystems and the availability of food-producing land, intensification and assistance for farmers, developing community-based food systems, increasing local food diversification, and increasing animal protein consumption, among others.