(VOVWORLD) - Leaders of Mekong countries and Japan agreed to boost bilateral economic and industrial cooperation at the 9th Mekong-Japan Summit in Manila, the Philippines, on Monday.
Japan promised to help Mekong countries achieve green growth and carry out flood and drought response projects. The two sides underlined the importance of managing and sustainably using the Mekong River’s water resources and protecting the river’s environment.
In his address, Prime Minister Phuc said bilateral cooperation should focus on helping Mekong countries develop advanced industry and agriculture, improve human resources and research and development capacity, build high-quality infrastructure, and step up regional connectivity, through transnational roads and logistics systems.
The leaders issued a joint statement and agreed to organize the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit in Japan.
At the 9th ASEAN-UN Summit, PM Phuc asked both sides to increase consultation to promote ASEAN-UN cooperation programs on sustainable development and social welfare, help each other cope with regional and global challenges like climate change and natural disasters, and promote multilateralism and international law.
The leaders agreed to continue implementing the ASEAN-UN plan of action for 2016-2020 and combining the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, with priority given to peacekeeping, fighting trans-national crime, realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, dealing with climate change, protecting the environment, and reducing poverty.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged to intensify comprehensive ASEAN-UN relations through helping the bloc realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the goals of the 2030 Agenda.