AKP Phnom Penh, June 16, 2018 —Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, along with other leaders of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) members countries attended the 8th ACMECS Summit, held at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, this morning.
According to the Premier’s official Facebook page, the 8th ACMECS Summit took place under the theme “Towards an Integrated and Connected Mekong Community”.
In his keynote address, Samdech Techo Hun Sen laid stress on noticeable progress during the last two decades of ACMECS cooperation, mainly in the fields of trade and investment, transport connectivity, tourism, public health, and human resources, etc.
The Cambodian Prime Minister also pointed out new challenges faced the ACMECS countries such as the increase in tendency of trade protectionism, anti-globalisation, other non-traditional problems, and climate change, as well as the shortage of financing to carry out projects and of joint researches.
To deal with the above-mentioned issues, Samdech Techo Hun Sen suggested the ACMECS members to continue giving priority to ACMECS reform, coordination for a better cooperation between ACMECS and other relevant sub-regional cooperation frameworks, strengthening and expansion of cooperation between ACMECS member states, and full and effective implementation of what have been agreed.
To strengthen future cooperation of ACMECS, the Cambodian leader expressed his support to the initiative on elaboration of ACMECS Master Plan 2019-2023 to improve operational infrastructure and full use of ACMECS potential, and agreed in principle with Thailand’s initiative on the creation of ACMECS Infrastructure Fund and Trust. He also requested technical officials to discuss and learn clearly about the Fund’s mechanism, form, and achievement possibilities, and Terms of Reference.
Besides, Samdech Techo Hun Sen mentioned about the significant roles of private sector in boosting development, the importance of strengthening close cooperation on trade, investment and industry between the members in global and regional value chains as well as of maintaining regional and sub-regional peace, security and stability for socio-economic development efforts.
On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his full support to the joint vision of development in the ACMECS countries, particularly the adoption of Bangkok Declaration of the 8th ACMECS Summit and ACMECS Master Plan 2019-2023.
By So Sophavy
