GMS Contents


Business Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Health Cooperation

The strategy development focal points of the Working Group on Health Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) met in Bangkok on 25-26 July 2023 to lay out the road map for the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy 2024-2030.  The meeting also discussed new areas of interest and possible partnerships, the process for upcoming country consultations, and the organization of the 6th GMS Working Group on Health Cooperation meeting to be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China in December 2023.


Water accounting in the GMS - Policy implications for water, food and energy security in a changing climate

In the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) water resources form the basis of agrarian prosperity and economic development. However, increasing water demand due to population growth, rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, as well as a changing climate, are undermining those water resources.


Great strides were made in bringing power to the people by innovative policies, new technologies, and increased financing, but the region is unlikely to reach energy access targets by 2030. . Photo credit: ADB.

Post-Pandemic, Asia is Falling Short on Electricity Access and Switch to Renewables

Despite welcome progress on universal access to electricity, the transition to renewable energy is faltering at a time when multiple shocks are hitting Asia and the Pacific hard.


ADB's investment will fund the working capital to expand Australis' operations at Van Phong Bay in central Viet Nam and support the development of a second regional production hub in southern Viet Nam.

ADB Invests in Ocean-Based Aquaculture in Viet Nam

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Australis Holdings, Inc. (Australis) signed a $15 million convertible note to promote climate-resilient, ocean-based barramundi and seaweed aquaculture in Viet Nam.


The Viet - Smart Tourist Card. Photo by Viet Nam Tourism website

GMS Countries Roll Out Various Smart Tourism and Digital Initiatives

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) emphasizes new possibilities opened by digitalization. At the recently held 51st GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG-51), GMS countries highlighted various digital initiatives they are implementing, which are helping boost their tourism markets and improve visitor management.



51st Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Working Group (TWG-51)

The 51st GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG-51) was held on 25 April 2023 in Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia. It was hosted by the Government of Cambodia and co-organized by the Cambodia Ministry of Tourism, and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO). The meeting was attended by senior and mid-level officials representing the National Tourism Organizations of the six GMS countries, MTCO, development partners and organizations, including the ASEAN Japan Centre, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and private sector, including China Ready. 



The High-Value Horticulture Development Project in Viet Nam scales up and transfers a successful high-value horticulture business model built on the introduction of climate-controlled greenhouse technology in tropical highlands in Asia. The business model will be replicated for vegetable production. Photo by ADB.

GMS Officials Discuss Priorities for Climate-smart Agri-food Value Chains and Green Financing

The 20th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) was held on 10–12 May 2023 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The meeting underscored the need to enhance (i) subregional cooperation on green and climate resilient agri-food value chains, and (ii) green financing of small and medium agribusinesses. The meeting also confirmed four priority action points by the WGA, and discussed the planned new agriculture sector strategy.


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