Joint Statement from the 26th Ministerial Conference
Building a Strong and Cohesive GMS Community with a Shared Future towards Resilient Economic Development
Building a Strong and Cohesive GMS Community with a Shared Future towards Resilient Economic Development
Thailand is on track to welcome 36 million international visitors in 2024, according to the Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch). This forecast is based on the robust performance in the early months of the year, which marked a notable 50% increase in foreign arrivals, totaling 6.4 million in January and February.
This brief demonstrates the importance of measuring the benefits of Viet Nam’s 144-megawatt Lotus Wind Power Project and defining its economic and social impacts as the country ramps up its renewable energy generation.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and BANPU Public Company Limited signed a 2.4 billion baht loan to support the financing of 1,500 six-seater electric tuktuks (e-tuktuks) and related charging stations for micro-scale transit services in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 2nd Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Energy Transition Task Force (ETTF-2) was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 4-5 December 2023 in a hybrid format. ETTF-2 was followed by a training on regional power market for the GMS Regional Power Trade Working Group (RPTWG) on 6 December 2023.
ADB and the National Health Commission of People’s Republic of China convened the 6th Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Health Cooperation Meeting on 13-15 December 2023 in Beijing.
The Greater Mekong Subregion Flood and Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Project was approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in December 2012 to support the Government of Cambodia in undertaking measures to prepare for and manage disaster risks linked to floods and droughts. Completed in February 2022, the project supported the rehabilitation of the Damnak Chheukrom Mega Irrigation System.
The GMs Energy Transition Task Force (ETTF) met in Siem Reap on 4-5 December 2023 to discuss updates and plans related to its work streams, including trends, opportunities and related initiatives in the region.
The meeting agreed on these next steps for 2024.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support the sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development of Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), with financing worth $35 million via a concessional loan and a $10 million grant. The project is set to (i) improve the quality and coverage of urban infrastructure and services, (ii) strengthen institutions and capacity to foster climate and disaster resilient development pathways, (iii) promote inclusive and gender-responsive urban planning, and (iv) enhance women's leadership and economic empowerment. The Government of Lao PDR will complement the financing with in-kind contributions to support counterpart salaries and office facilities
During the period 2017–2020, extended to 2023, ADB operations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) focused on (i) improving physical connectivity to catalyze private sector investment in the economy to generate employment and income, (ii) developing skills that support growth in the non-resource sectors and improving access to health services to enhance labor productivity, and (iii) ensuring sustainable natural resource management and climate resilience. Gender equity and governance were crosscutting themes.