Overview
The inaugural “Mekong– ROK Cooperation Forum: Advancing Regional Development and Partnerships” was hosted by the Mekong Institute (MI) with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the ROK and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Viet Nam on May 14, 2025, in Hanoi, Viet Nam. This MKCF forum highlighted key achievements, lessons learned, and best practices of MKCF projects, while showcasing the regional collaboration initiatives fostered between Mekong countries and ROK. It also served as a platform to forge new partnerships across public and private sectors, explore ways to scale project outcomes, and identify emerging regional challenges related to economic, social, and environmental sustainability, while ensuring continued impact.
Dr. Kittiphon Boonma, Research Specialist at GIC attended as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA) to showcase our project ‘PlasticFlow Mekong’ in the Mekong countries. He also attended an expert consultation for the Environmental sector- discussing emerging and pressing environmental issues in the Mekong countries.
The forum brought together over 200 participants, including officials from the foreign missions of the Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea (ROK) based in Hanoi, as well as senior officials and focal points of Mekong–ROK Cooperation within the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both the Mekong countries and the ROK. In addition, senior representatives from the line ministries of these countries attended, with a focus on the seven priority sectors of Mekong–ROK Cooperation. The event also welcomed senior officials and project team members from international development partners, alongside impact investors, financiers, and private sector business entities. Project team leaders from the Mekong–ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF) Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) also participated, contributing their insights and experiences in implementing key initiatives under the cooperation framework.
