제14차 한-메콩 외교장관회의(7.23.) 결과

Co-Chairs’ Statement

of the 14th Mekong - ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Manila, Philippines, 23 July, 2026

This Statement was issued by H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) as Co-chairs of the 14th Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Manila, Philippines on 23 July, 2026.

We, the Co-chairs of the 14th Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, noted that this year marks the 15th anniversary of Mekong-ROK cooperation since the inaugural Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in 2011. We noted with satisfaction that our cooperation has deepened and broadened steadily across a wide range of fields, guided by the shared vision, objectives, and principles set forth in the Han River Declaration, adopted at the 1st Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2011, and the Mekong-Han River Declaration, adopted at the 1st Mekong-ROK Summit in 2019.

Amid an increasingly complex global landscape marked by geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions, the rapid advancement of emerging technologies such as AI, demographic transformation, and the climate crisis, we underscored the growing importance of Mekong-ROK cooperation. We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our Strategic Partnership for People, Prosperity, and Peace established on the occasion of the 2nd Mekong-ROK Summit in 2020, and to redoubling efforts to promote sustainable development, narrow the development gap, and enhance connectivity and resilience across the Mekong subregion.

We took stock of the achievements made through Mekong-ROK cooperation projects implemented since 2013, spanning 78 projects in the seven priority areas of (1) Culture and Tourism, (2) Human Resources Development, (3) Agriculture and Rural Development, (4) Infrastructure, (5) Information and Communication Technology (ICT), (6) Environment, and (7) Non-traditional Security Challenges outlined in the Mekong-ROK Plan of Action (2021-2025). We recognized the important role of the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF) in implementing the Mekong-ROK cooperation projects, contributing to narrowing the development gap and advancing sustainable development across the Mekong subregion. The Mekong countries expressed their appreciation for the ROK’s sustained financial contribution to the MKCF, amounting to more than 40 million USD from 2013 to 2025, and we commended the role of the Mekong Institute in managing and administering the Fund, as well as the Mekong Institute’s PRIME 2.0, which will further enhance regional integration.

We acknowledged that, since its inception in 2013, the Mekong-ROK Business Forum has established itself as a key platform for business exchanges between the private sectors of the Mekong countries and the ROK, and we looked forward to the next Business Forum, to be held in the second half of 2026. We also recognized the valuable role of the Mekong-ROK Youth Group Workshop in deepening mutual understanding among the youth of the Mekong countries and the ROK, and looked forward to the next Workshop, to be held in August 2026.

With a view to promoting a coherent subregional architecture, we welcomed closer collaboration with other key mechanisms. We recognized the importance of promoting synergies between the Mekong-ROK framework and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the Mekong River Commission (MRC), and other Mekong frameworks with external partners.

We recognized the relevance and complementarity of subregional development to ASEAN’s regional integration and community-building process, especially in advancing economic integration and narrowing the development gap. In this regard, the Mekong countries appreciated the ROK’s continued support for ASEAN’s sub-regional development through Mekong-ROK cooperation and acknowledged the ROK’s CSP Vision to further advance the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, emphasizing the ROK’s support and commitment towards the community-building of ASEAN in alignment with ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

We agreed that the new Plan of Action for the next five years will encompass priority areas of the subregion in close consultations with the Mekong countries, reflecting the global and regional development trends including digital transformation, climate resilience and green transition, and smart agriculture and rural development, consistent with the three pillars of the ROK’s CSP Vision, namely (1) Contributor for Dreams and Hope, (2) Springboard for Growth and Innovation, and (3) Partner for Peace and Stability.

Recognizing that prosperity and sustainability are intertwined, we reaffirmed our commitment to enhancing conservation, promoting biodiversity, and addressing transboundary environmental challenges to build a nature-positive and resilient subregion. To further drive inclusive growth and subregional competitiveness, we also highlighted the importance of leveraging Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). Accordingly, we encouraged Mekong-ROK initiatives to strengthen scientific networks and expand capacity-building exchanges, fostering collaborative cross-border solutions.

We reaffirmed our commitment to ensure that the Mekong-ROK cooperation remains relevant and responsive to the needs of our peoples as well as the regional and global development priorities. We looked forward to the early reconvening of the Mekong-ROK Summit, and agreed that its format will be decided by consensus among the Mekong countries and the ROK. /END/