From 13 to 14 July 2017, the 2017 Mekong Forum, with the theme “New Geo-Economics: Reshaping the Future of the Greater Mekong Sub-region?” was held in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The forum was hosted by the Mekong Institute (MI) and co-organized by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and relevant agencies. Mr. Tun Tun Naing, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Finance of Myanmar, Chairman of Mekong Institute Council, Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Former Minister of Energy and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Chairman of Mekong Institute Steering Committee, and Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Executive Director of MI, delivered remarks at the Forum respectively. They reviewed the major projects conducted by MI in recent years, highlighted the programme of the 2017 Mekong Forum, and hoped that the relevant countries in the region and the GMS countries would continue to strengthen collaboration, thus jointly make new contribution to enhancing the economic and social prosperity and development in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific Region.

More than 200 participants, including representatives from the governments of GMS countries, foreign diplomatic missions in Thailand, international organizations, NGOs, enterprises, academics and media, attended the Forum. The experts in various fields made a discussion on the topics of “Dynamics of Geo-politics and Geo-economics: Past, Present and Future”, “Re-assessing Impacts on Development Cooperation in the GMS”, and “Re-adjusting Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Strategies for the GMS”.

Upon MI’s invitation, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) sent its representatives to attend the event. The representatives had an extensive exchange with the relevant participants, briefed them on ACC’s work on pushing forward the development of ASEAN-China relations, and explored the possibility on strengthening future collaboration with people from various sectors.