I. Development Goals
This Plan of Action is based on the significant outcomes achieved since the official launch of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (hereafter referred to as the LMC) in March, 2016, the successful implementation of the Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (2018-2022), and the important outcome documents, including the declarations adopted at previous Leaders' Meetings, joint press communiqués and joint statements issued at Foreign Ministers' Meetings. This Plan of Action aims to deepen the good neighborliness, friendship and practical cooperation among the six LMC member countries, drive the economic and social development, enhance the people's well-being, develop a more robust and resilient Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt, jointly build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable Lancang-Mekong region, and make new strides towards a closer Community of Shared Future of Peace and Prosperity among Lancang-Mekong countries.
The Plan of Action would complement international and regional initiatives and cooperations, including China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, as well as ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and its successor document, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor document, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plans (2021-2025), the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and other Mekong sub-regional cooperation strategies and visions, where those initiatives and cooperations contribute to peace, prosperity and development in the Lancang-Mekong region. It will also be intended to implement the important consensus reached at China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations including the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, deepen sub-regional development cooperation, join hands to cope with common challenges, strive to facilitate economic recovery of all countries and the prosperity and revitalisation in the Lancang-Mekong region, contribute to the ASEAN Community building, and regional integration processes, narrow the development gap, and advance the full implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a view to establishing the LMC as an example of a model of sub-regional cooperation, featuring win-win cooperation.
II. Fundamental Principles
This Plan of Action will take into account the development needs and priorities of the six member countries and the regional economic integration, improve the cooperation framework highlighting "the leaders' guidance, all-round cooperation and broad participation", uphold the cooperation philosophy of "development priority, equal negotiation, pragmatism and high efficiency, openness and inclusiveness". Considering local contexts, the Plan of Action will reflect the adherence to a people-centered and action-oriented approach, mutual benefits and inclusiveness, innovation-driven development, and harmonious co-existence between mankind and nature. While continuing to deepen the current cooperation, it will keep exploring new areas of cooperation and advance the high quality development of the LMC in a steady manner.
The implementation of this Plan of Action will be based on the principles of consensus, equality, mutual respect, consultation and coordination, voluntarism, common contribution and shared benefits. It will uphold multilateralism, the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by the United Nations Charter and international laws as well as in accordance with the domestic laws, rules, regulations and procedures of each member country.
III. Working Structure
Optimize the multi-layer institutional framework comprising Leaders' Meeting, Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM), Sectoral Ministerial Meeting, Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and Diplomatic and Sectoral Joint Working Group Meeting.
Strengthen and deepen cooperation concerning the three pillars (political and security issues, economic and sustainable development, and social, cultural and people-to-people exchanges), and five priority areas (connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, agriculture and poverty reduction). Actively expand new areas of practical cooperation that can well respond to the growing demand for development of Lancang-Mekong countries. Enhance inter-sectoral communication and coordination to promote common progress and maximize effects of our multi-dimensional cooperation.
Encourage the gradual upgrade of the Joint Working Groups on the priority areas to Senior Officials’ or Ministerial level, and study the establishment of new Joint Working Groups and Cooperation Centers, when necessary.
Improve the coordination mechanism of LMC National Secretariats or Coordinating Units among the six member countries with strengthened communication as well as reinforce the capacity of their staff to better advance practical cooperation in all areas. Actively and carefully study the possibility of setting up the LMC International Secretariat upon consensus.
Build a consensus to expedite the design of LMC logos and other symbols to facilitate mass outreach and other public awareness activities. Promote the role of the multilingual website of LMC China Secretariat, encourage member countries to actively consider the setup of websites, and social media accounts with a view to raising awareness about the LMC among the public. Continue to hold the annual LMC Week activities in commemoration of the first LMC Leaders’ Meeting held in China on March 23, 2016.
Submit the implementation progress report on this Plan of Action to the Foreign Ministers' Meeting through the Senior Officials' Meeting annually. A list of projects proposed by the six member countries for the next year will be submitted to the FMM for adoption.
IV. Practical Cooperation
4.1 Political and Security Issues
4.1.1 High-level Exchanges and Political Dialogues and Cooperation
Maintain regular high-level exchanges and policy communication, and continuously deepen mutual political trust.
Convene the LMC Leaders' Meeting once every two years to map out strategic planning for future LMC development and hold ad hoc Leaders' Meeting as necessary on the basis of consensus.
Hold Foreign Ministers' Meeting once a year to implement consensus reached at the Leaders' Meeting, review cooperation progress and provide suggestions for cooperation.
Hold Senior Officials' Meeting and Joint Working Group Meeting in diplomatic and other sectors each year as needed.
Support policy dialogues, including economic diplomacy dialogue and official exchanges and visits among Lancang-Mekong countries.
In line with the spirit of LMC, encourage exchanges of experiences and best practices in governance among member countries. Strengthen dialogues and exchanges among the national legislative bodies and political parties of Lancang-Mekong countries.
4.1.2 Cooperation on Law Enforcement and Justice
In response to the demand of regional economic recovery for a safe development environment, aiming at "building a safe and secure home together", explore cooperation opportunities in the field of law enforcement and justice, to maintain regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Fully employ mutually agreed platforms and establish a sound coordination and contact mechanism for response to emergencies.
On the basis of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, encourage dialogue and experience sharing to enhance the capacity of law enforcement in the Mekong River Basin.
Strengthen think tank exchanges on law enforcement cooperation, hold Lancang-Mekong Border and Immigration Management Police/Force Chiefs' Forum, Lancang-Mekong Police Sports Games, as needed.
Deepen the civil and commercial judicial cooperation in the region.
4.1.3Non-traditional Security Cooperation
4.1.3.1 Public Health Cooperation
Advance cooperation on prevention and control of infectious diseases, support experience sharing in the fight against COVID-19, strengthen cooperation in such fields as counter-epidemic supplies provision, testing capacity improvement, drug and vaccine research and development, and vaccine filling production. Intensify efforts in the vaccine supply, actively promote cooperation in technology transfer and production capacity.
Actively implement the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine Within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, promote exchanges and mutual learning in the traditional knowledge protection, traditional medical education, and clinical practice and scientific research, push ahead modernization of traditional medicine, and jointly elevate the role of traditional medicine, to play a positive role in the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases. Promote the investigation of medicinal ingredients by each member country and compile a commonly used herbal pharmacopoeia for the six member countries. Encourage natural and artificial cultivation of medicinal plant, promote mutual learning and interconnection of medicinal plants standards, research and develop public health products, and build industrial bases for traditional medicine, based on just and equal benefits and on mutually agreed terms.
Facilitate cooperation on pharmaceutical supply chain, quality and safety control among relevant authorities in Lancang-Mekong countries on drug supply chain security to maintain drug quality and safety.
Strengthen cooperation in the fields of communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control, health emergency response, primary healthcare, management of chronic diseases and mental health. Leverage the function of the LMC Special Fund for Public Health in the implementation of support public health cooperation projects of the six member countries.
Actively develop and carry out free medical diagnosis and treatment activities, including Brightness Action projects.
Strengthen health cooperation in border areas. Deepen cooperation on information sharing, measures alignment and emergency response in border epidemic prevention and control, enforce simultaneous measures in particular for the people, objects and environments to fend off infections and tighten the prevention of cross-border epidemic transmission. Boost port health information sharing and health talent exchanges, and further improve the early-warning system and response capacity for major infectious diseases in port areas.
Enhance cooperation between practice and medical research institutions to promote technical exchanges and medical talent training. Integrate the strength of medical personnel and health system as well as hardware infrastructure in each member country to transform and upgrade selected medical institutions, and build a network of Lancang-Mekong Friendship Hospitals. Encourage dispatch of medical expert teams, carry out sub-regional cooperation on the prevention and control of acute, infectious and emerging diseases.
Cooperate in prevention and control of zoonotic diseases and promote capacity building among LMC member countries including through seeking cooperation from other partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly known as OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Cooperate in prevention and control of insect-borne infectious diseases including Aédes borne diseases and promote capacity building including the community-based raising awareness and practices against the infectious diseases, especially technology transfer for disease surveillance and early warning, in the context of climate change.
Cooperate in research and development of key technologies for drinking water purification and sanitation facilities, and construct demonstration projects for safe drinking water and rural sanitation facilities.
4.1.3.2 Combating Transnational Crimes
Enhance information exchanges, share best practices and experiences in technical aspects, coordinate responses in addressing the risks and challenges posed by transboundary crimes, including drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal crossing of national borders, illegal smuggling, transnational organized crimes, smuggling of firearms and ammunition, illegal trafficking of hazardous and other wastes, including e-waste, cybercrimes, cross-border gambling, telecom frauds, online scams, and human trafficking, and strengthen respective national capabilities to suppress commercial frauds and smuggling of endangered wild species of flora and fauna and their products.
4.1.3.3 Cooperation in Disaster Management
Explore the establishment of Lancang-Mekong Regional Disaster Management Cooperation Mechanism, explore the possibility to hold ministerial meetings on disaster management to provide strategic guidance for regional disaster management cooperation, organize disaster management cooperation forums and joint working group meetings on a regular basis to promote technical exchanges and the implementation of concrete and pragmatic people-centered cooperation projects, based on the needs of member countries.
Intensify dialogues and exchanges in disaster management strategic plans, policies, regulations and standards.
Promote the initiatives to enhance regional cooperation on the financial support system for effective preparedness for, response to and recovery from natural disaster. Strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation through promoting experience sharing in disaster monitoring and early warning to improve capacity for identifying major disaster risks of the sub-region.
Facilitate cooperation in disaster preparedness through joint research on key technologies and building disaster resilience.
Conduct cooperation in disaster recovery and reconstruction through enhanced experience sharing to build effective connection between recovery and development.
4.2 Economy and Sustainable Development
4.2.1 Connectivity
Give full play to the role of the Joint Working Group on Connectivity Cooperation of the LMC, expedite the development of the Plan on Connectivity Cooperation Among Lancang-Mekong Countries which synergizes with the MPAC 2025 and its successor document, the BRI and other sub-regional strategies, advance, high-quality physical connectivity development cooperation in the region while ensuring sustainability, compatibility, transparency, accessibility, inclusiveness and safety, as well as deepen people to people ties.
Further bolster the high quality road and railway connectivity, share digital innovation and connectivity, optimize and upgrade the layout of inland waterway, road transportation, aviation and port facilities, dry port or distribution and logistics centers of main cities along the routes and corridors, remove obstacles and bottlenecks resulting from missing linkages, and build a convenient connectivity channel between major cities within the region, so as to effectively reduce logistical costs and time across the region.
Jointly carry out the revision of the Technical Regulations on Surveys of Commercial Ships on the Lancang-Mekong River to improve vessel safety, environmental-friendliness and economy, enhance waterway transportation safety and sustainability of the Lancang-Mekong River, and facilitate the regional shipping integration process.
Encourage regulatory capacity building, technical cooperation and exchanges, scientific and technical innovation, and joint training initiatives cooperation in civil aviation areas. Support the development of the Lancang-Mekong Airline Cooperation Alliance to enhance air connectivity between the six countries with the aim to boost trade, tourism and regional economic recovery. Continue to promote the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance to strengthen the sustainable recovery and development of the tourism industry.
Encourage digital infrastructure connectivity including cross-border terrestrial and submarine cables, laying the foundation for a secure, credible, transparent, efficient and interconnected telecommunication network based on mutually agreed rules and regulations and in accordance with applicable domestic laws.
Enhance cooperation in standardization through sharing of development experience and capacity building with regard to multi-dimensional connectivity.
4.2.2 Production Capacity Cooperation
Give full play to the role of the Joint Working Group on Production Capacity Cooperation of the LMC, formulate the Three-Year Action Plan for Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation Among Lancang-Mekong Countries, and optimize the distribution of production capacity in the region.
Focus on priority areas of the production capacity cooperation namely power, agro-processing industry and agri-food, construction materials, metallurgy, light industry and textiles, automotive and parts, machinery, chemicals and agriculture, continuously promote production capacity through direct investment, project contracting, joint technology research and development and trade in relevant supplies.
Foster a stable regional industrial supply chain, build platforms to stimulate supply chain linkages with the intent to strengthen the resilience sustainability, and inclusivity of supply chain, deepen practical cooperation and cross-border business partnerships, promote research and development (R&D), standard formulation and revision in line with international industrial standards, carry out testing and certification of industries, including mineral resources, raw materials, automotive, consumer goods, bio-based, agro-industries and explore the possibility of the cooperation of electronic chips and equipment.
Further enhance cooperation in the field of production capacity building. Actively hold Lancang-Mekong production capacity and investment promotion activities, including investment roadshow and business forum, continue to carry out the Multi-Nation Multi-Park cooperation, and encourage more enterprises and financial institutions in Lancang-Mekong countries to participate in production capacity cooperation.
4.2.3 Trade and Investment Facilitation
Accelerate the adoption and effective implementation of the Five-year Development Plan on Cross-border Economic Cooperation of Lancang-Mekong Countries as soon as possible. Make efforts to accelerate the negotiation and effectively upgrade the 3.0 version of ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). Encourage effective implementation and utilisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) to further enhance the level of regional trade and investment liberalization, facilitation, and promotion, lower non-tariff barriers, promote awareness and use of FTAs among MSMEs, and enhance interoperability of rules and regulation, so as to enhance business-conducive ecosystem and improve the regional economic integration level.
Deepen cooperation on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to take advantage of the regional linkage effect and jointly build the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt (MLEDB). Enhance services related to investment and trade facilitation contributing to the Promotion of Cross-Border Economic Cooperation through streamlined procedures and substantive technical and policy exchanges among Lancang-Mekong Countries for the collaborative facilitation of cross-border investment and trade. Develop economic corridors in line with the member countries' needs to improve the regional economic integration level. Explore the joint development of more cross-border special economic zones among interested member countries. Exchange information and policies related to investment and trade facilitation services among Lancang-Mekong countries through holding frequent consultative workshops and seminars.
Explore the construction of a new model for intelligent Lancang-Mekong customs governance, gradually achieve customs connectivity among the member countries through the cooperation of Smart Customs, Smart Borders, Smart Connectivity and the implementation of the Smart Customs cooperation partnership. Thrust for the establishment of the cooperation mechanism for customs inspection and quarantine among the six member countries.
Continue to optimize customs clearance procedures, improve the quality and capacity of customs service. Expedite the cooperation on the interconnection of the Single Window to advance the exchange of custom data, prioritize customs communication, especially due notice of policy changes and amendments to relevant rules and regulations.
Promote the cooperation on increasing the efficiency of cross-border freight flow.
Enhance capacity building for joint monitoring of animal and plant epidemics in border and port areas. Promote the import of quality and safe agricultural and pasture products into China from Mekong countries.
Advance cooperation on the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). Push ahead cooperation on electronic verification of SPS certificates. Carry out cooperation on the monitoring, prevention and control of cross-border transmission of animal or plant epidemics or diseases at ports.
Strengthen standardization exchanges and cooperation, information exchanges in conformity assessment areas, and policy and regulation transparency for market access, explore conformity assessment procedures and mutual recognition of assessment results, boost training in conformity assessment areas, and improve trade facilitation between countries.
Strengthen metrology cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries, enhance measurement capacity building, propel mutual recognition of measurement in priority areas including medical health, environmental protection, renewable energy and food safety.
Carry out exchanges and cooperation in the anti-monopoly field and strengthen cooperation on the law enforcement technical assistance of relevant organizations in the member countries.
Strengthen cooperation among chambers of commerce of the member countries, and encourage the Lancang-Mekong Business Council to hold annual trade and investment promotion activities such as investment roadshow, exhibitions, forums, business-matching sessions and conferences, so as to promote regional economic recovery.
4.2.4 Energy Cooperation
Enhance energy policy exchanges, collaborate on energy security cooperation, promote diversification of energy sources, improve energy utilization efficiency, conduct environmental and social impact assessment of energy infrastructure projects, including transboundary impacts, research the pathway for energy transition, continuously increase the installed proportion of renewable energy, develop energy storage technology, which contributes to the transition towards energy-saving, low-carbon and sustainable development.
Promote practical cooperation in energy, joint research and development of advanced technology and management experience, expand cooperation in capacity building and training, encourage technology cooperation, including technology transfer, and explore the possibility of mobilizing financial resources for effective energy transition.
Facilitate the steady transition to green economic growth, including the fields of energy storage, electric vehicles and parts, investment in green development, among others.
Enhance renewable energy integration and transition into grid and grid modernization. Support the development of grid infrastructure and encourage information sharing among the member countries on the basis of availability.
Strengthen the communication in power planning among the member countries, facilitate regional power grid construction, renovation and reconstruction in a cohesive manner, and push forward electricity connectivity and power trade toward the establishment of a unified regional power market.
Encourage cooperation in photovoltaic production capacity technology and human resource, and jointly promote the development of photovoltaic industry and the utilization of green energy.
4.2.5 Agriculture
Synergize agricultural strategy, policy communication and experience sharing, fully harness the central role of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture Cooperation of the LMC and the Lancang-Mekong Agricultural Cooperation Center, to promote the development of green, sustainable and innovative agriculture in the region.
Implement the LMC Bumper Harvest projects, focusing on such areas as the promotion of value chain, digital green agriculture, and jointly implement specific cooperation projects in an effective manner.
Strengthen cooperation in agricultural science and technology, support scientific research institutions in conducting joint research, information sharing and personnel exchange, jointly construct technology demonstration bases and joint research centers.
Compile case studies and research reports on agricultural industries and agricultural cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong countries, to translate project outputs into intellectual outcomes, and consolidate and expand cooperation effects.
Organize agricultural trade and investment promotion activities, to present high quality agro-products and connect enterprises from the six member countries. Explore ways to jointly establish agricultural industrial parks, and engage civil society in the development and operation of the parks. Support capacity building in agribusiness and promote youth engagement and employment in the agricultural sector.
Deepen cooperation on food security and agri-food system. Step up policy and technical exchange and cooperation in areas of food loss and waste reduction, quality standards, productivity enhancement, nutrition and safety, and emergency supplies, electronic transactions, etc. Promote the food supply chain cooperation to better meet the challenge to food security for the post-COVID period.
Explore the possibility of building and effectively employing the Lancang-Mekong Comprehensive Information Platform for Agriculture Economy and Trade, and Technology. Explore the possibility of holding the Forum for Cooperatives in Lancang-Mekong Countries to enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of agricultural material production capacity, machinery equipment and technology.
4.2.6 Poverty Reduction
Strengthen policy dialogues and experience sharing in the field of poverty reduction and rural development, through the holding of online and offline exchange activities such as forums, workshops and seminars and village leaders exchange programs.
Carry out poverty reduction pilot projects. Hold various seminars on poverty reduction to promote the capacity of the member countries in poverty reduction policy formulation and implementation, and undertake policy consultation and technical assistance cooperation based on demands of the six member countries.
Give serious consideration to undertake demonstration projects (or flagship projects) for comprehensive poverty alleviation and development, and explore the establishment of a Lancang-Mekong poverty alleviation training center.
Underscore the issue of poverty eradication and inequality reduction in the post-pandemic era, promote the utilisation of science, technology and innovation, including data science, to support targeted poverty alleviation, enhance education equality, and provide knowledge products of poverty reduction and rural development for Lancang-Mekong countries through joint research and case development.
4.2.7 Digital Economy
Strengthen policy dialogues for digital economy, explore the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Partnership Program for Digital Economy, and jointly enhance the support of startup ecosystem and digital business of Lancang-Mekong countries, as well as capacity development on digital transformation. Enhance regulatory capacity building in digital economy and e-commerce in order to ensure personal data protection and create safe, secure and favorable cyberspace environment for digital economy development.
Support the demand of Lancang-Mekong countries for information and communication technologies and digital development, jointly enhance the information network service capability, bridge digital divide, foster digital transformation, promote cooperation on cross-border e-commerce, smart cities and digitalization of MSMEs. Promote interoperability among digital systems and encourage the adoption of open standards.
Encourage the construction of digital and information communication infrastructure, encourage cooperation in the planning and construction of sea-land cables, information communication networks, etc. Encourage further cooperation in emerging technology areas, such as Artificial Intelligence,blockchain technology, big data, cloud computing, 5G, Internet of Things, space economy, Industrial Internet, telemedicine, agro-tech, natural language processing, distance education, cyber security, and other emerging technologies for the development of the industry 4.0. Encourage the application of the new generation of information technology to the manufacturing industry, and push forward Internet-based and automation solutions to the manufacturing industry.
Support cooperation between open-source institutions of public and private in all member countries, and encourage related enterprises to participate in the construction of open-source projects to conduct secondary development and promote commercial applications.
Strengthen and develop digital skills and capacity-building among Lancang-Mekong countries through training, scholarships, exchanges and up-skilling and re-skilling programs.
4.2.8 Scientific and Technical Innovation
Build a cooperation framework for Lancang-Mekong scientific and technical innovation, set up a vibrant ecosystem of scientific and technical innovation to promote the R&D, application, commercialization and technology transfer in mutually agreed important areas, and explore the establishment of innovation corridors to support industrial development in the sub-region, especially in the border areas and special economic zones or industrial cities.
Strengthen cooperation in the field of intellectual property through pragmatic cooperation projects in aspects of capacity building, talent cultivation, and utilization of intellectual property rights, and jointly advance the innovative development of Lancang-Mekong countries.
Promote technical and research collaboration for the development of bio-circular-green economy, in particular, technological and innovation solutions that facilitate the transition to circular economy, carbon neutrality and net zero emission.
Deepen cooperation in satellite development and satellite ground stations, and improve the space capability building of Lancang-Mekong countries.
Promote the application of advanced space technologies based on the needs of member countries to agriculture, forestry, workplace safety, road transportation management, disaster prevention and reduction, weather forecast, city management and other areas, explore the construction of the Lancang-Mekong Earth Observation Data Cooperation Center, drive related technologies to serve, where applicable, the planning of agricultural and forestry resources, flood prevention and disaster mitigation, and urban census and detailed survey, and advance the role of space technology in serving economic and social development, while ensuring equitable access to information by all member countries.
Explore cooperation in the field of lunar and deep-space detection. Interested member countries are welcome to be a part of International Lunar Research Station, carry out cooperation at different levels and in different stages of joint demonstration, task design, technical cooperation, payload ride/joint development, and scientific research.
Capitalize on the Asia-Pacific Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education Affiliated with the United Nations set up in China, the Belt and Road Aerospace Innovation Alliance and relevant colleges and universities, scientific research institutes, to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between colleges and universities in all member countries, and carry out extensive education and training in such areas as space science, space technology, space application and space laws.
Explore the possibility of nuclear technology cooperation, where possible, in industry, agriculture, medicine, environment and other fields for the aim of the socio-economic and livelihood development, strengthen cooperation on human resources in nuclear science and technology, and support young people from the six member countries in applying for the Chinese Government Atomic Energy Scholarship program and receiving postgraduate education in nuclear science and technology in China.
Strengthen geospatial information management and service capacity building among Lancang-Mekong countries, develop a geospatial information public service platform for applications in natural resources management, sustainable city development, climate change as well as disaster prevention and reduction, and promote the sharing of related data, information, knowledge, experience and technology.
4.2.9 State-owned Enterprises
Enhance experience sharing in state-owned assets supervision and management, encourage the exploration and adoption of state-owned enterprises (SOE) reform paths tailored to the country's development strategy and national conditions, and drive SOEs to better serve the high-quality economic and social development and the needs of people for a better life through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
4.2.10 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
Work toward building MSMEs' capacity for sustainable development and inclusiveness through enhancing e-commerce cooperation, promoting digital and financial literacy, providing capacity-building programs to help MSMEs digitalize their businesses in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0), and providing digital support to MSMEs to strengthen their capacity through technology and knowledge transfer mechanism from multinational corporations and high-tech companies.
Furthermore, strengthen the engagement between public and private partnerships to promote economic autonomy, expand opportunities and create an enabling environment for the development of innovative entrepreneurship and women-led businesses with inclusivity.
Encourage cooperation between MSMEs and large enterprises/multinational corporations on productivity, quality and standards to provide greater access to MSMEs to regional/global value chains.
4.2.11 Financial Cooperation
Encourage the use of member countries' local currencies in trade and investment, where applicable and in an appropriate manner, to improve settlement efficiency.
Deepen capital market cooperation, support eligible financial institutions to invest and conduct business in other member countries, encourage the exchanges of the member countries to carry out pragmatic cooperation, and strengthen the supervisory and enforcement cooperation of capital markets among the member countries.
Enhance financial support to regional connectivity, sustainable development, production capacity cooperation by various measures, including Lancang-Mekong Inter-bank Cooperation Mechanism for Connectivity, Lancang-Mekong Industrial Production Capacity & Equipment Manufacturing Cooperation Special Loan.
Encourage financial institutions to support further regional green and sustainable development through project implementation in achieving better and greener development in the region. Consider developing an experience exchange platform for developing and implementing regulations on green and sustainable finance. Provide technical assistance for transformation of the banking system based on asset and investment portfolio management, towards a greener and more sustainable banking system.
Increase policy exchanges and cooperation between financial regulatory authorities of the member countries on cross-border financial risks and support banking and insurance institutions in Lancang-Mekong countries in strengthening financial cooperation under the premise of legal and compliant operation.
Promote capacity building and experience sharing in the field of fiscal and financial policies, governmental auditing and insurance regulation and supervision of Lancang-Mekong countries through activities such as personnel exchanges, joint research, training, information sharing and technical support.
4.2.12 Water Resources Cooperation
Improve the framework of Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation. Regularly hold the Ministerial Meeting and the Forum of Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation to strengthen high-level policy dialogues, technical exchanges, capacity building and joint research. Commission the Joint Working Group on Water Resources Cooperation of the LMC to take the lead in overall coordination, organization and implementation.
Enhance policy coordination of Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation. Jointly develop the Five-year Plan of Action Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation (2023-2027), focusing on promoting technical exchanges, joint research and pragmatic projects that directly contribute to people's livelihood in the fields of climate change mitigation and adaptation, flood and drought disasters management, water-related data and information sharing and monitoring, technical standard and specification alignment, as well as construction and impact assessment of infrastructures related to water, and other areas of common concerns to contribute to sustainable use of water resources and socioeconomic development.
The six member countries are encouraged to develop joint projects to effectively address water related challenges and promote the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Support the development of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center. The six member countries are encouraged to provide more support in areas of personnel, technology and budget on a voluntary basis, taking into account of comfort level, conditions and available resources of each member country, so as to further enhance the technical support capability of the Center. Strengthen the coordination and cooperation between Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center and Mekong River Commission Secretariat.
Deepen water management cooperation at the level of Lancang-Mekong River Basin and forge greater synergy with regional water resources cooperation for future sustainability and shared benefits. Strengthen communication and coordination, ensure transparent, consistent and timely water data sharing, including exchange of hydro-meteorological data and information and strengthened coordination in dealing with trans-boundary floods and jointly push forward the development of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Information Sharing Platform in close collaboration with Mekong River Commission Secretariat and by giving the role of the Implementation Team of Platform Development a full play. Promote the joint study on the changing patterns of hydro-logical conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River basin and adaptation strategies, conduct open consultation in support of policy planning and joint action to address water-related challenges, step up water management policy coordination at the level of river basin. Take each country's national conditions into account, coordinate the relations between upstream and downstream, the left bank and the right bank, and the mainstream and tributaries, as well as focus on social and economic development and ecological and environmental protection, to achieve green and sustainable development in the river basin.
Strengthen the overall coordination and operation of the infrastructures for people’s livelihood along the upstream and downstream of Lancang-Mekong countries to minimize the environmental impacts based on scientific facts, through harmonized water infrastructure planning and development.
Enhance public participation and publicity. Further improve the public participation in joint programs and actions related to Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation, foster water cultural exchanges among the member countries, strengthen science popularization among the juvenile group, to jointly improve the public’s scientific recognition of water challenges.
Strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of the best practices of sustainable and effective water resources development, management and utilization. Enhance capacity building for water resources management, and continue to carry out exchanges, training and study tours in this field.
4.2.13 Response to Climate Change
Advocate sustainable development based on innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and shared benefits, boost inter-departmental and cross-sectoral exchanges and cooperation in response to climate change, push forward the construction of more substantive partnerships, and foster the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.
Urge developed countries to fulfill their commitments on climate finance, including mobilizing USD 100 billion per year by 2020 through 2025 to support the implementation of mitigation and adaptation of developing countries, and make greater contributions towards setting the new collective quantified goal from a floor of USD 100 billion per year.
Advance technical exchanges, capacity building, practical cooperation and best practices sharing in the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, harmonize energy resilience in related climate change action plans, and push forward the transformation towards an economy featuring green and low carbon development and more climate resilience.
Facilitate joint research and demonstration cooperation on Nature-based Solutions, build Climate Adaptation Cooperation Network, and strengthen cooperation on climate resilience infrastructure.
Enhance cooperation on hydro-meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation. Advance cooperation in disaster monitoring, forecasting and warning. Develop training courses and platforms in smart meteorological forecast as well as meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation capability. Promote application of Global Multi-hazard Alert System-Asia (GMAS-A) in the region.
Jointly conduct the survey and assessment of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, explore the assessment and restoration of green and blue carbon sink, and organize exchanges and studies of carbon emission monitoring and carbon storage in the sub-region to tackle global climate change.
Strengthen youth exchanges and cooperation in all six member countries in terms of response to climate change, and heighten the regional public’s awareness of climate and environmental challenges.
4.2.14 Cooperation in Ecological Conservation and Environmental Protection and Forestry
Continue to give full play to the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Center. Establish and hold Ministerial and related Meetings of the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation when appropriate. Formulate and implement the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Strategy and Action Framework (2023-2027) while seeking synergy with the environmental protection plans of the six member countries. Continue to implement the Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative, with the focus on capacity building for environmental governance and low-carbon development in the region, development of the Lancang-Mekong Knowledge Hub for Green, Low-Carbon and Sustainable Infrastructure, as well as cooperation on sustainable ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation under the framework of Nature-based Solutions, and enhance communication with other related sub-regional mechanisms. Ensure habitat connectivity along the Lancang-Mekong region to maintain and safeguard both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife benefiting the well-being of the people in the Lancang-Mekong River region.
Reinforce the protection and restoration of the ecosystem in the Lancang-Mekong Basin, and carry out the restoration of forest and grassland vegetation and afforestation.
Promote mainstreaming of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, including through the integration of the multiple values of biodiversity into policies, regulations, planning processes, poverty reduction strategies and economic accounting, and strengthen cross-sectoral coordinating mechanisms on biodiversity, to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming Declaration: Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.
Strengthen cooperation in the comprehensive management of waste and persevere in reducing the impact of land-based waste on the river and marine environment.
Reinforce the sustainable management of forest resources, and accelerate the process of high-quality development of forestry in the Lancang-Mekong Basin. Strengthen cooperation and exchange in the protection and science-based operation of forest resources, and advance the assessment and monitoring of forest resources.
Promote experience and technology exchange on the conservation and restoration of wetlands including peat-land and salt marsh, and enhance cooperation on sustainable management of wetlands including peat-land and salt marsh in the Lancang-Mekong Basin.
Explore the possibility to establish a working group to monitor, maintain, and promote the health of wildlife including conducting research on potential interaction of human-wildlife health impact.
Enhance cooperation and exchanges on Nature-based Solutions to address biodiversity loss, restore degraded ecosystems, and boost resilience.
Establish a mechanism for communication and exchange of information on forestry pests, and strengthen the prevention and control of cross-border forestry pests.
Strengthen cooperation in wildlife conservation and jointly crack down on illegal trade in wildlife. Strengthen cooperation in the development and protection of natural reserve areas and jointly promote biodiversity conservation, including aquatic biodiversity. Initiate and promote joint research among the Lancang-Mekong countries to facilitate the monitoring, conservation, and restoration of the ecological habitats of terrestrial and aquatic migratory species in the Lancang-Mekong Basin.
Boost cooperation in forest law enforcement and information exchanges to jointly combat illegal logging and associated trade and to promote legitimate timber trade, as well as increas forestry sector’s contribution to poverty reduction, climate solution and green economic development.
Promote cooperation and exchange in forestry senior education and human resources. Strengthen capacity building of Lancang-Mekong countries in forestry management and scientific research, develop sustainable forestry technologies with regional characteristics, and jointly train talents for sustainable forest management.
Promote researches and exchanges to better understand the value of natural capital, and explore investment in natural capital for sustainable infrastructure in the region.
Facilitate regional coordination between climate change responses and air quality improvement. Promote cooperation and exchange information on the development and boosting the use of Electric Vehicles to cut down air pollution for Green, Low-Carbon and Climate Change Resilience, in the Lancang-Mekong region. Enhance cooperation in the prevention and control of land and forest fires in border areas to effectively address the problem of transboundary haze pollution.
Use the Lancang-Mekong Knowledge Hub for Green, Low-Carbon, and Sustainable Infrastructure to share aquatic environmental research findings for the Lancang-Mekong Basin.
Strengthen further support in sustainable waste management including plastic and hazardous waste management to achieve better environmental protection and promote urban as well as cities to be cleaner and greener for public health benefit. Enhance policy-science-business cooperation to reduce plastic pollution, and promote sustainable production and consumption through resource efficiency and circular economy approaches.
Establish and promote a joint research team among the Lancang-Mekong countries to monitor, conserve, and restore the ecological habitats of terrestrial and aquatic migratory species in the Lancang-Mekong Basin.
Strengthen cooperation between Lancang-Mekong countries to enhance the capacity of related agencies, organizations and personnel in the prevention and control of cross-border invasive alien species.
4.3 Social and Cultural Cooperation
4.3.1 Culture and Sports
Strengthen dialogues between civilizations, promote exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations in the Lancang-Mekong Basin. Plan various forms of cultural exchange activities, build platforms for civilization dialogue, and deepen cooperation in the creative cultural industry.
Strengthen sports cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries. Encourage interaction among the sports authorities and organizations of the member countries, to jointly host sports competitions and stay in communication and coordination in international sports affairs.
Promote cooperation in international cultural organizations and the Asian Initiative for Cultural Heritage Conservation, and strengthen cooperation among member countries in the fields of cultural heritage conservation and restoration, archaeology, world heritage nomination, museums management, exhibition exchanges, conservation sciences, risk management for cultural heritage, academic research and professional training. Continue to hold the Dialogue Between Historic and Cultural Cities of Lancang-Mekong Countries.
4.3.2 Tourism
Promote sustainable tourism in all types of tourism in order to maximize benefits while minimizing negative impacts from tourism on host communities in tourism destinations socially, economically and environmentally. Encourage tourism industry to improve the standard of living of host community inclusively, and promote mutual understanding between people in community and visitors.
Improve the quality of tourism experiences for tourists by promoting internationally-accredited (such as GSTC-Accredited) sustainable tourism standard across sub-region by which tourists can be fulfilled with satisfaction and quality experiences resulting in an increase of the number of returning tourists and quality tourists. Enhance the capacity-building and knowledge-sharing of tourism standards. Prevent any kind of exploitation, crime, and fraud, related to tourism which affects the experiences of both tourists and host community.
Explore new models for tourism cooperation, including deepening the existing tourism arrangements, improving tourism facilities, and exploring community-based tourism. Improve the mechanism of Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Alliance, and hold the Lancang-Mekong Mayors’ Forum on Culture and Tourism with practical outcomes. With cities as the driving force, strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism routes design, marketing and promotion, product innovation, talent training, etc. including the organizing of tourism roadshows, tourism fairs, exhibitions, and B2B events in the member cities on a rotation basis to enable the showcase of the tourism potentials and business networking.
Implement community-based tourism (CBT) development with participation (sharing of ideas, plans, actions, responsibility, benefits and co-ownership) and analyze the social impacts on stakeholders by using the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) tool.
Promote tourism cooperation in this region, work out new tourist routes through international cooperation under the LMC, and create new tourism formats based on the China-Laos Railway and its future expansion to Thailand through a joint design of tourism routes.
Support the development of characteristic tourism of border ethnic areas in the member countries, fully harness the tourism and cultural resources of ethnic minority featured villages in border areas, and advance the building of demonstration zones for featured culture and tourism in Lancang-Mekong countries.
Promote youth participation in tourism development within a new pattern of travel where the technology is integrated through different platforms, including the promotion of the web portal of the Mekong-Lancang Youth Tourism Ambassador, which will be launched by Cambodia, as young people are able to easily adapt to the technological and digital transformation.
Expedite the Implementation Program for Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cooperation consisting of clear and practical joint activities in accordance to the Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (2023-2027) and further encourage the creation of Mekong-Lancang Tourism Package.
4.3.3 Education and Human Resources Development
Strengthen educational cooperation and cary out cooperation in mutual recognition of academic degrees as appropriate. Encourage colleges and universities to conduct exchanges of academics, educators, lecturers, students and staff, joint talent training and joint research.
Strengthen cooperation in human resources development, employment and social security for all, including foreign workers, encourage educational institutions to jointly develop teaching materials and curriculum systems, foster university-enterprise cooperation, teachers training and other activities, with the aim to enhance skill development of Lancang-Mekong countries.
Strengthen Vocational Education and Training, bringing into function of the Lancang-Mekong Vocational Education Base established in China and the Lancang-Mekong Vocational Education and Training Center established in Mekong countries, to cultivate more high-quality technical and skilled talents for the six member countries.
Enhance language education exchange and cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries.
4.3.4 Press and Media
Strengthen exchanges and cooperation between mainstream media, and continue to hold the LMC Media Summit.
Promote the establishment of Lancang-Mekong Television and Media Cooperation Alliance. Hold the Lancang-Mekong Audio-Visual Week, encourage radio, television broadcasters and online audio-visual media to enhance cooperation and promote the broadcasting of member countries’ audio-visual works, including documentaries, TV dramas, and animations.
Establish a mechanism to promote cultural appreciation and integration among the youth in Lancang-Mekong countries.
Explore the establishment of a long-term cooperation mechanism for information exchanges among the six member countries, and build a multilingual economic information database for the region.
Launch a series of multilingual, multi-form news products, create thematic books, joint interviews and micro documentaries, to enhance the LMC’s visibility.
Enhance technical exchanges and personnel training, jointly foster the promotion and application of Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast (DTMB) and Mobile App, strengthen the integrative development of media and promote the exchange and cooperation in audio-visual new technologies.
Intensify efforts in cooperation on combating disinformation and fake news and deep fake of AI technology, jointly safeguard the objectivity and correctness of press reports.
Deepen cooperation in the Media Sector, including the study on the establishment of a joint working group at a suitable time upon the consensus of the six member countries, with an aim to make operational principles, review and implement joint working plan on information and media dissemination; and to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the Lancang-Mekong countries to combat fake news and disinformation-related activities attempting to exploit the social, economic, political and cultural vulnerabilities of certain communities in this sub-region.
Explore the possibility of organizing LMC Media Forum. The Forum will be functioning as the networking hub for government, academics, media and journalists to exchange their policies, working principles and results; share experience and collectively find solutions for common issues/problems.
4.3.5 Ethnic Affairs
Promote cooperation in ethnic affairs and respect for human rights of all ethnic groups. Encourage research and exchange in respect of all-round development of ethnic groups , hold forums, expert seminars, experience exchange conferences and talent training programs under appropriate conditions.
Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in cultural heritages preservation and cultural industries. Delegations for ethnic cultural exhibitions and performances shall be exchanged and online joint performances and exhibitions of ethnic cultures shall be organized under appropriate conditions.
Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such fields as development and preservation of language, fine art, custom, and exploration and preservation of historical and ancient heritage of ethnic groups.
4.3.6 Religious Affairs
Promote interfaith dialogues by strengthening friendly religious communications among religious authorities of the member countries, including the International Celebrations of Buddha Bathing Day, Buddhist Conferences, among others.
4.3.7 People-to-people Exchanges
Deepen exchanges and cooperation in women's economic empowerment, women's leadership, poverty reduction and sustainable development, organize dialogue meetings and skill development for women, enhance capacity building for women, help minimize the impact of crisis on women, boost economic recovery, build resiliency, and foster gender equality and women's all-round development in Lancang-Mekong countries.
Empower and inspire women in peacekeeping related fields, create conducive environment for women to realize their full potentials, and expand their meaningful participation in sustainable development and peace building process.
Strengthen youth exchanges and cooperation. Support the work of Lancang-Mekong Youth Exchange and Cooperation Center, continue to hold youth volunteer and exchange programs, and explore the development of Lancang-Mekong youth initiatives, including LMC young leadership and young entrepreneurship.
Move forward undertakings for the development of children and adolescents, and protect their rights and best interests.
Enhance knowledge sharing and exchanges as well as cooperation to prepare for an ageing society, address challenges resulting from rising ageing population and promote active and healthy ageing with a view to continuing to improve the well-being of the elderly in the sub-region.
Promote the integrated development of persons with disabilities, give assistance to persons with disabilities in the aspects of social interaction, medicine, education and professional development, to enable persons with disabilities to fully participate in social life and enjoy an equal status.
Encourage social organizations in the six member countries to participate in the LMC, carry out livelihood cooperation in relevant countries around anti-epidemic efforts, poverty alleviation, education, environmental protection, health and other areas, build LMC brand for livelihood projects, and consolidate public support for friendly relations.
Strengthen exchanges among the Red Cross Societies, develop community resilience program, improve the capacity building of the Red Cross Societies in member countries, and encourage the Red Cross Societies to participate in the cooperation and experience sharing on COVID-19 prevention and control.
V. Supporting System
5.1 Project Supervision and Management
Give full play to the role of the LMC International Secretariat, if established, and the National Secretariats/Coordination Units to coordinate relevant authorities and agencies to participate in cooperation in all sectors, carry out regular evaluation and supervision of the overall and annual progress of the Plan of Action, relevant important events and projects. Explore a mechanism for comprehensive assessment of projects in the form of self-evaluation, peer review and third-party review to put forward improvement suggestions, standardize project implementation and ensure tangible outcomes delivered from the projects.
5.2 Funding Support
China continues to support cooperation through the LMC Special Fund. On this basis, the member countries are encouraged to actively mobilize resources from all sectors and local governments to carry out projects that are in line with the objectives set forth in the LMC Leaders' Meetings and Foreign Ministers' Meetings, as well as applicable international practices and domestic laws, and can effectively improve the well-being of the people in this region.
Further improve the quality and implementation efficiency of the LMC Special Fund projects to better serve the economic and social development in each member country. Intensify publicity efforts to expand its visibility.
Encourage specialized financial institutions and development partners in this region to play a more proactive role, deepen their cooperation with international financial institutions including the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), New Development Bank (NBD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to jointly establish a diversified financial support system.
Explore the possibility for LMC Special Fund and other LMC related financing facilities to support and co-finance practical cooperation projects with other sub-regional financing mechanisms, such as ACMECS Financing Mechanism.
Fully leverage the function of social resources, encourage well-reputed foundations, commercial banks, enterprises, etc., to participate in project financing, create a three-dimensional and all-round financial support system.
5.3 Intellectual Support
Improve the construction of the Global Center for Mekong Studies and gradually build it into an independent, renowned and influential international research institute. Recruit experts and talents from the Lancang-Mekong sub-region and beyond, reinforce exchanges and cooperation with regional and global relevant research institutes and think tanks, to provide sustained intellectual support for the LMC.
Further explore the quadruple partnership between government-industry-academia-the public cooperation model, and hold LMC Eminent Persons Forum, Youth Summit and Entrepreneurs Forum, to provide opinions and suggestions for the LMC development and practical cooperation in all fields.
5.4 Local Support
Encourage local governments of the member countries to give full play to their respective advantages, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and actively participate in the LMC.
Actively implement the Initiative on Deepening Cooperation among Local Governments in Lancang-Mekong countries, and regularly convene the Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation.
Coordinate border development strategies, enhance border economic cooperation and connectivity. Encourage local governments to actively innovate cooperation, and actively explore new cooperation areas. Encourage local governments to provide scholarships for students from other member countries.
5.5 External Partners
Uphold openness and inclusiveness, foster complementarity with ASEAN and other regional/sub-regional cooperation mechanisms for coordinated development. Promote coordinated development between the LMC and ASEAN-China Cooperation.
Establish and develop exchanges and communication with ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee, and enhance cooperation with the ASEAN-China Center (ACC) for cross-sector collaboration in the region.
Actively explore cooperation with the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program (GMS), the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the Mekong River Commission (MRC), and other mechanisms or regional/international organizations.
Explore the establishment of LMC Dialogue Partners or Development Partners upon the consensus of the six member countries. Invite countries or regional/international organizations recognized by all six member countries to participate in the LMC in appropriate ways.