— [Related National Policy Task] No. 120: Emerging as a G7+ Diplomatic Power through Contributions and Active Engagement in the International Community —

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun co-chaired the 14th Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Manila, the Philippines, on Thursday, July 23.

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Mekong-ROK cooperation, this year’s Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting adopted the Co-chairs’ Statement, which sets out the direction of cooperation with the Mekong countries for the next five years and ways to strengthen the Mekong-ROK Strategic Partnership, at a time when the world faces unprecedented challenges.

※ The ROK and the five Mekong countries (Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam) established the Mekong-ROK Strategic Partnership in 2020.

Minister Cho proposed further advancing Mekong-ROK cooperation in line with the ‘CSP Vision for Strengthening the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,’ and underscored the Korean government’s commitment to continue making meaningful contributions to the sustainable development of the Mekong region and to narrowing down its development gap, including through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF).

The representatives of the Mekong countries expressed their appreciation for the Korean government’s contributions to the Mekong-ROK cooperation, and called for expanded cooperation in key future-oriented areas such as fostering innovation in the Mekong region through digital transformation, building climate resilience through green transition, and narrowing the rural development gap through smart agriculture.

The ministers also agreed on the importance of continuing to promote exchanges at multiple levels in order to further expand and deepen Mekong-ROK cooperation. They pledged to work toward the successful organization of the Mekong-ROK Youth Group Workshop and the Mekong-ROK Business Forum, both scheduled for the second half of this year.

The ministers further expressed hope that projects to be selected under the 10th round of the MKCF would generate tangible outcomes and improve the quality of life for the people across both Korea and the Mekong region.

※ Mekong-ROK Business Forum: Launched in 2012 on the occasion of the Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to promote public-private cooperation and boost mutual private investment and exchanges between the ROK and the Mekong countries, the Forum has been held annually since 2013.

※ Mekong-ROK Youth Group Workshop: Held since 2022 to build interest in and support for Mekong-ROK cooperation among the younger generation, this program brings students from Korea and the five Mekong countries to Korea for a workshop (this year’s 5th workshop is scheduled to be held in Seoul and Busan, bringing together 36 young people from Korea and the Mekong countries under the theme ‘Mekong-Korea Youth: United through Culture’).

※ Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF): Established on the occasion of the 2012 Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to strengthen Mekong-ROK cooperation and to contribute to narrowing the Mekong region’s development gap and enhancing connectivity through sustainable development

The ROK and the Mekong countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting sustainable growth and prosperity of both sides and to working closely to further advance Mekong-ROK cooperation.