(VOVWORLD) -The 6th Summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion released a joint statement at a plenary session in Hanoi on Saturday. The Heads of the governments and delegations of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam acknowledged the successful results of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program under the leadership and strong commitments of member countries.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the advancement of GMS Economic Cooperation Program and continuing support for the principles underlying the GMS Framework and encourage all stakeholders to begin considering the way forward to a sustainable, integrated, and prosperous subregion.
The joint statement reviewed GMS’s changes and achievements over the past 25 years and introduced an action plan for the future. Member countries affirmed their commitment to GMS’s sustainable development through the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to promote creative, harmonious, inclusive, and open development for everyone and ensure a balance over economics, social, and environmental dimensions. They also stressed the importance of full implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at regional and national levels.
They committed to building open economies for individual countries and for the subregion by deepening economic integration, boosting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and supporting multilateral trading systems and opposing all forms of protectionism. They encourage implementation of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
To further underwrite shared future within the GMS, the leaders committed to strengthening partnerships, based on mutual respect, trust, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. The GMS Program will continue to be an essential platform for enhanced connectivity, competitiveness and community and advancement toward a sustainable, integrated and prosperous GMS.