GMS in the News

The fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong River, connecting Borikhamxay province in Lao PDR with Bueng Kan province in Thailand, is now 96% complete. Its official opening is being planned for May 2025, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The new bridge will facilitate easier travel and trade between the two countries, as well as strengthen connections within the Greater Mekong Subregion, particularly benefiting businesses engaged in trade between Thailand and Viet Nam.

Since its inception in 2006, the GMS Environment Program has been integral in supporting the GMS countries in advancing environmental protection and sustainable development through policy development, strategic planning, and climate-related investments. With three phases spanning 18 years, the program has continuously evolved, adjusting to the dynamic landscape of environmental priorities of the GMS countries. Now, as we’re nearing the close of the current Phase III of the program, it’s time to look beyond 2025 into the next chapter.

Harmonize traceability standards and adopt shared digital technologies to boost interoperability in the food supply chain.

Government officials from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) participated in a workshop on mainstreaming gender equality and inclusion held on 16-18 September 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The study tour and masterclass provided participants with in-depth understanding and practical knowledge of (i) key energy transition tasks and tools, (ii) technologies and applications to be utilized for renewable energy integration and expansion, (iii) policy frameworks to support energy transition, and (iv) power market development to support energy transition including interstate trades.

The 3rd workshop and 6th meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Task Force on Trade and Investment (GMS TFTI) was held on 9-11 October 2024 in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

The Fifth Meeting of the GMS Task Force on Trade and Investment (TFTI) was held on 10–11 July 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, attended by more than 40 GMS governmental officials in-person or virtually.

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Joint Transport and Customs Sub-Committee meeting was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 10-11 September 2024 to promote the Early Harvest (EH) Implementation of the GMS Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA).

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) faces complex challenges – climate change, demographic shifts, rapid technological advancement – that both threaten progress and offer potential for transformative solutions.