(Phnom Penh (FN): On Wednesday, 9 October 2024, the Asian Vision Institute (AVI) organised an official book launch for "Mekong-Lancang Cooperation: Towards Peace and Prosperity" at the culmination of the Mekong-Lancang Peace Boat (MLPB) Project. Funded by the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund 2022, this event marked the successful completion of the project's two main components: a week-long training programme on a cruise ship in Cambodia for Mekong-Lancang country members and the publication of a policy-oriented research book.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Sok Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Special Mission and Chairman Emeritus of AVI; Meas Kim Heng, Secretary of State in charge of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia; and Chheng Kimlong, President of AVI and Project Director of MLPB. It also brought together 90 distinguished guests from various sectors, including government officials, embassy representatives, think tank members and university students.
The newly launched book serves as a roadmap for the region's development, offering recommendations on addressing ongoing challenges and development needs of Mekong-Lancang countries. Covering crucial topics such as water governance, agricultural exports, economic partnerships, multilateralism and climate governance, the publication explores policies driving harmonious growth in the region. The book emphasises the twin goals of peace and prosperity, recognising their fundamental importance to the sustainable development and stability of the region.
Following the book launch, a panel discussion on "Mekong-Lancang Cooperation: Towards Peace and Prosperity" took place. Moderated by Lim Menghour, Director of the Mekong Centre for Strategic Studies of AVI, the panel featured Chheng Kimlong, President of AVI and Project Director of MLPB; Liu Zhanguo, Director of China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD) Cambodia Office; Seun Sam, Policy Analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia and Khasy Srithilat, Deputy of Post-Graduate Division at the Faculty of Economics and Business Management of the National University of Laos. The panellists examined the role of multilateral cooperation in addressing regional challenges, exploring obstacles and proposing solutions for enhanced collaboration. The discussion highlighted the importance of multilateral frameworks in mitigating regional issues and their potential to foster stability and development.
The Official Book Launching Ceremony highlighted policy insights and regional collaboration, while the broader MLB Project aims to deepen people-to-people ties and foster cultural understanding. By facilitating dialogue and enhancing expertise, these initiatives create a platform for meaningful exchange, strengthening the foundation for a more interconnected community geared towards peace and prosperity.
=FRESH NEWS
