GMS in the News

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has targeted four niche markets for next year: wellness, luxury experience, sports tourism and honeymoons.

Authorities of the northern border province of Lang Son and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China held an online signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a pilot smart border gate.

The Government of Thailand has announced that its ambitious high-speed railway project connecting the country to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is scheduled to begin operations in 2030.

In a milestone moment for GMS-wide environmental collaboration, the representatives of the GMS ministries of environment pledged to work together to address the mounting issue of plastic waste pollution in the subregion. The endorsed Phnom Penh Joint Statement on Prevention of Plastic Pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion represents the commitment of the six countries to address the ecological, economic, and societal challenges posed by plastic waste in the GMS. 

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s reliance on debt financing for the power sector has led to significant economic growth but also severe debt distress. Reforms should focus on improving sector governance, enhancing financial sustainability, and fostering clean energy access.

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.

Nhim Lon, a rice farmer in Talou Sen Shey District in the western province of Pursat in Cambodia, is reaping the benefits of a newly improved mega irrigation system.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) can improve health and food security by strengthening agricultural value chains, supporting rural areas, and scaling up nutrition-centered food systems, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a financing package of $24.9 million, inclusive of a $4.95 million Asian Development Fund grant, to help improve access to quality health services in the border provinces of Champasak, Phongsali, and Savannakhet of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).  

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