Twenty-First Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Subregional Transport Forum
The 21st Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-21) was held in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) on 19–20 July 2017. It was jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) of Lao PDR and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The theme of the meeting was: “Toward an Efficient GMS Multimodal Transport System.” The objectives were to:
- review the initial working draft of the proposed new Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Transport Sector Strategy (TSS) under preparation;
- review developments in axle load control practices in the GMS and proposals on improving their effectiveness;
- review the report on the state of development of GMS economic corridors from the study “GMS Corridors Assessment”;
- update the meeting on the progress of the Midterm Review of the GMS Strategic Framework, and the preparation of a five-year action plan;
- review the initial progress report on Cross-border Transport Agreement (CBTA) “Early Harvest” implementation;
- review progress and plans in the GMS railway sector toward the development of a GMS railway network, including the initial findings of the study currently being undertaken on the missing rail links in the subregion; and
- discuss other topics that have a bearing on the GMS transport sector.
Table of Contents
Summary of Proceedings
Appendix 1: Meeting Program and Agenda
Appendix 2: List of Participants
Appendix 3: Opening Remarks of Vice-Minister Viengsavath Siphandone, Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Lao PDR
Appendix 4: Opening Remarks of Vice-Governor Vongsavanh Tepphachanh of Luang Prabang
Appendix 5: Opening Remarks of Director General Oulay Phadouangdeth, Department of Planning and Cooperation, MPWT, Lao PDR (STF-21 Chair)
Appendix 6: Opening Statement of Country Director Hideaki Iwasaki, Thailand Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank (STF-21 Co-Chair)
Appendix 7: Preliminary Findings of the Mid-Term Review of the GMS Strategic Framework 2012-2022 and Indicative Elements of the Hanoi Action Plan 2018-2022
Appendix 8: Overview of Draft GMS Transport Sector Strategy
Appendix 9: Progress Report on Assessment of GMS Economic Corridors
Appendix 10: Stocktaking on Axle Load Control of GMS Countries
Appendix 11: Review on the Status of Axle Load Control Practices in GMS Countries
Appendix 12: “Early Harvest” Implementation of the GMS Cross Border Transportation Facilitation
Agreement
Appendix 13: Greater Mekong Railway Association – An Update
Appendix 14: Development Initiative for Road Asset Management of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Appendix 15: Scholarship Program under JICA’s Development Initiative for Road Asset Management
Appendix 16: Cooperation with Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) of Thailand on Infrastructure Financing for Regional Development
Summary of Proceedings
Appendix 1: Meeting Program and Agenda
Appendix 2: List of Participants
Appendix 3: Opening Remarks of Vice-Minister Viengsavath Siphandone, Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Lao PDR
Appendix 4: Opening Remarks of Vice-Governor Vongsavanh Tepphachanh of Luang Prabang
Appendix 5: Opening Remarks of Director General Oulay Phadouangdeth, Department of Planning and Cooperation, MPWT, Lao PDR (STF-21 Chair)
Appendix 6: Opening Statement of Country Director Hideaki Iwasaki, Thailand Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank (STF-21 Co-Chair)
Appendix 7: Preliminary Findings of the Mid-Term Review of the GMS Strategic Framework 2012-2022 and Indicative Elements of the Hanoi Action Plan 2018-2022
Appendix 8: Overview of Draft GMS Transport Sector Strategy
Appendix 9: Progress Report on Assessment of GMS Economic Corridors
Appendix 10: Stocktaking on Axle Load Control of GMS Countries
Appendix 11: Review on the Status of Axle Load Control Practices in GMS Countries
Appendix 12: “Early Harvest” Implementation of the GMS Cross Border Transportation Facilitation
Agreement
Appendix 13: Greater Mekong Railway Association – An Update
Appendix 14: Development Initiative for Road Asset Management of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Appendix 15: Scholarship Program under JICA’s Development Initiative for Road Asset Management
Appendix 16: Cooperation with Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) of Thailand on Infrastructure Financing for Regional Development