GMS in the News


Seated from left: Mr. Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Minister in charge of GMS Cooperation Program/GMS Minister, Secretary General, Council for the Development of Cambodia, and Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed, Vice President for ADB Operations in the Southeast Asia Department, the East Asia Department, and the Pacific Department at the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference. Photo by ADB.

ADB Affirms Support for Future GMS Initiatives 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) remains committed to supporting the future initiatives of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program. Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed, Vice President of ADB, reaffirmed ADB’s support in his speech at the recently-concluded 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-23). The MC-23 was Mr.


Heads of GMS country delegations participate in the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference. Standing from left are Mr. Vu Dai Thang, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Viet Nam; Mr. Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar; Ms. Cheng Lihua, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance, PRC; Mr. Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Minister in charge of GMS Cooperation Program/GMS Minister, Secretary General, Council for the Development of Cambodia; Mr. Viengsavath Siphandone, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Lao PDR; Mr. Thaworn Senneam, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport, Thailand; and Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed, Vice President for ADB Operations in the Southeast Asia Department, the East Asia Department, and the Pacific Department. Photo by ADB.

23rd Ministerial Conference of the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program

The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference on 17-18 November 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with the theme “Greater Integration, Inclusivity and Sustainability in the GMS.”  The meeting brought together GMS Ministers and Senior Officials of the six GMS countries—Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Lao People’s Democrati


Meeting plenary at the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference held on 18 November 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo by Asian Development Bank.  

GMS Ministers Launch 5-year Regional Health Cooperation Strategy

Ministers of the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries launched the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023, which provides a framework to guide GMS countries in collectively tackling health issues impacting the subregion through regional cooperation at the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-23) held on 18 November 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.


Branding Brings Economic Opportunities for Women in Southeastern Myanmar

Through the ‘Made in Mon’ branding of local handicraft, women and the poor in Southeastern Myanmar are getting gainful employment opportunities.

ADB through a grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction initiated the project by upgrading handicraft production and processing facilities, providing design, manufacturing and marketing advice.


GMS Risk Communication Specialists Stress Importance of Regional Approach for Health Emergencies

Risk communication is a critical component of countries’ effective response to health emergencies. This is why it is one of the focus areas of the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED), the common strategic framework for World Health Organization member countries of the Asia Pacific region to effectively detect, prepare for, and respond to threats posed by emerging infectious diseases. Risk communication helps inform decision making, encourage positive behavior change, and maintain public trust.  


Phnom Penh skyline reflecting the city's rapid growth. The Central Market, built in 1937, is seen in the foreground. Photo by Lor Teng Huy - own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

GMS Ministers to Gather in Phnom Penh for the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference

The Ministers of the six member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are set to lay the groundwork for the preparation for the 7th GMS Summit of Leaders. 

Hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-23) will take place in Phnom Penh on 18 November 2019, with the theme "Greater Integration, Inclusivity and Sustainability in the GMS.”   


Writeshop to Finalize the Strategic Results Framework and Prepare Regional Action Plan for the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Health Cooperation Strategy 2019‒2023

Writeshop to Finalize the Strategic Results Framework and Prepare Regional Action Plan for the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Health Cooperation Strategy 2019‒2023

The Asian Development organized the Writeshop to Finalize the Strategic Results Framework and Prepare Regional Action Plans for the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Health Cooperation Strategy 2019‒2023 on 2627 September 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.


Lao PDR's public health program helped improve people's health and enabled health workers to improve their delivery of services. Photo credit: Ariel Javellana/ ADB

Lao PDR’s Deputy Minister of Health Urges Long-term Commitment to Improve Child Nutrition

Dr. Phouthone Muongpak, Deputy Minister of Health of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) underscored the importance of considering health indicators, in particular child nutrition, when it comes to investments in health. Reducing malnutrition continues to be a key challenge in Lao PDR, one that requires political, financial, and collaborative efforts from all sectors and levels, according to Dr. Muongpak.


Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, and Thailand Confirm Phase Two of Trilateral Power Deal

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Malaysia, and Thailand confirmed the second phase of the Lao PDR, Thailand, and Malaysia Power Integration Project (LTM-PIP) at the 37th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) held on 4 September 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Lao PDR sells electricity to Malaysia using Thailand’s electricity transmission network through the LTM-PIP. The second phase expands Lao PDR’s electricity export from 100 megawatts to a maximum of 300 MW.


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