(VOVworld) – The fourth Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Regional Working Group Meeting opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday attracting the participation of nearly 100 delegates.

4th Lower Mekong Initiative Regional Working Group Meeting opened in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Petrotimes)

The two-day meeting aims to review the implementation of activities that had been agreed at the previous meeting, discuss initiatives, new cooperative opportunities, and examine preparations for the upcoming LMI ministers conference in Brunei. The event also offered a chance for Vietnam to enhance its role in the LMI and boost cooperation ties with the US and other Mekong River countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son addressed the opening ceremony: "The Vietnamese government attaches importance to the Lower Mekong Initiatives. Of course, we believe in its great potential and the benefit its advancement could bring about. We have been working closely with LMI countries and partners’ institutions. Looking forward I believe that LMI could and should do more to full potential and to achieve the goals and objectives agreed by all members. The working group plays a very important role in this effort".

The meeting includes six specialized groups including environment and water, healthcare, education, agriculture, and food and energy security.