This edition of the GMS e-Updates features the 20th GMS Ministerial Conference held on 9-10 September in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Sustainable development encompasses environment, social, and economic dimensions and a wide range of possible indicators could measure the changes in the degree of protection against danger, damage, or loss.

Strategic environmental assessments may be used to compare different energy scenarios, and a more sustainable power plan can be developed by incorporating the wider impacts considered during the assessment process.

Major expansion in the Greater Mekong Subregion power sector will bring added environmental and social pressures, and more attention needs be paid to incorporating greater sustainability into the power planning process.

Investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency generate benefits to society as a whole that cannot be fully reflected in investment returns, leading thereby to underinvestment by the private sector.

KUNMING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (11 June 2015) – Government ministers and senior officials attending the Greater Mekong Subregion Seventh Economic Corridors Forum today agreed on measures to promote the development of economic corridors, facilitate cross-border transport and trade, and enhance cooperation and private sector participation.

KUNMING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (10 June 2015) – Ministers and senior officials from the six Greater Mekong Subregion countries and the Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank will convene tomorrow at the 7th GMS Economic Corridors Forum to discuss how to further develop economic corridors, facilitate cross-border transport and trade, and enhance cooperation and private sector participation – including the development of Special Economic Zones.

The GMS Program, with the support of ADB and other development partners, helps identify and implement high-priority subregional projects in a wide range of sectors.

A modern highway and bridge connecting three countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion are reviving an ancient trade route and bringing new life to local communities.

This progress report to the GMS Leaders provides a summary of key achievements under the GMS Economic Cooperation Program since the last GMS Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 20 December 2011.