The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) will host the 25th GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-25) on 6-8 December 2022 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The MC-25 will be attended by the Ministers and senior officials of the GMS countries, development partners, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders.

The MC-25 theme, “Accelerating Economic Recovery to Expand 30 Years of GMS Achievements Toward Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” reflects the special significance of this upcoming event. As the first ministerial conference after the 7th GMS Summit in 2021, it provides opportunity to follow up on GMS Leaders’ mandates for an innovative and robust recovery path to achieve the new GMS vision of a more integrated, prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive subregion. It is also a celebratory occasion as this year marks the GMS Program’s 30th Anniversary. It will commemorate the Program’s significant achievements in the last three decades.  

The MC-25 will be the first meeting to physically convene GMS stakeholders since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Resumption of in-person meeting will also encourage a more engaging and collaborative participation in discussing the subregion’s developments and challenges, and a more interactive and joyous celebration of the GMS Program’s 30th Anniversary.

Program

On Day 1, 6 December 2022, the MC-25 will commence with a Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) that will conduct a final review of deliverables and arrangements of the 25th GMS Ministerial Conference, and the draft SOM Chair’s Report to the Ministers, MC-25 retreat topics, and Joint Ministerial Statement

On Day 2, 7 December 2022, a Development Partners’ Meeting (DPM) will be held in the morning. This year’s DPM will attempt to reach new ground for the GMS Program as it considers the results and recommendations of the study “Deepening Development Partners’ Engagement in the GMS Program”. The DPM will discuss the study to solicit views on effective implementation of, and concrete next steps on, the actions recommended by the Study.

In the afternoon, activities organized by the Government of Lao PDR to celebrate the 30th GMS Anniversary will be hosted. This includes a visit to a GMS project and Luang Prabang’s famed Kuang Si Falls, a Baci Ceremony, and a Gala Dinner.

On Day 3, 8 December 2022, a closed-door Ministerial Retreat will be held in the morning. The formal plenary Ministerial Meeting will take place in the afternoon.