ACMECS
Silhouette of a fishing boat on a wide river at sunset with a city skyline in the distance

Since its establishment in 2003, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy or ACMECS has served as the only cooperation framework led and driven by the Mekong countries themselves—namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Over the decades, ACMECS has played a vital role in fostering regional socio-economic collaboration and promoting sustainable development in the subregion. Recent milestones highlight ACMECS’s growing momentum. These include the 10th ACMECS Summit, the launch of the ACMECS Interim Secretariat (AIS), the expansion of its Development Partners, and progress toward realizing the ACMECS Development Fund(ACMDF).

The ACMECS Vision

Guided by the vision of “Building ACMECS Connect”, the framework is currently operating under the ACMECS Master Plan (2019-2023)—which remains in effect until the next plan is adopted. The said strategic plan focuses on three core pillars and goals:

  • Seamless Connectivity – Enhancing transport, digital, and energy connectivity.
  • Synchronized ACMECS Economies – Promoting financial as well as trade, investment, and industrial cooperation through policy harmonisation and facilitation.
  • Smart and Sustainable ACMECS – Promoting sustainable development and management as well as digital transformation, and human resource development.

These pillars are designed to lay the groundwork for a more connected, resilient, and competitive Mekong subregion.

Development Partners and Their Contributions

ACMECS currently enjoys strong collaboration with seven Development Partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and most recently, New Zealand—which was formally welcomed during the 10th ACMECS Summit in November 2024. Development Partners (DPs) provide meaningful technical and financial support, along with knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives. Their partnerships have proven instrumental in driving key projects under the ACMECS Master Plan. To illustrate, ACMECS Member Countries have cooperated with Development Partners (DPs) in implementing projects under ACMECS Master Plan, for example:

  • Japan funded the ACMECS Branding Project to support SMEs in post-COVID-19 recovery, with a total value of USD 1.3 million.
  • The Republic of Korea supported another ACMECS Branding Project aimed at facilitating cross-border trade by aligning relevant regulations, contributing USD 1 million.

These collaborative efforts highlight how Development Partners help transform ACMECS goals into concrete outcomes that benefit the region.

ACMECS Institutional Strengthening: Secretariat and Development Fund

To boost coordination, the ACMECS Interim Secretariat (AIS) was officially established in May 2024 at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The AIS is tasked to strengthen communication and collaboration among Member Countries, Development Partners, and external stakeholders. Further enhancing its public profile, ACMECS unveiled its official logo and website, coordinated by the AIS—in July 2024, reinforcing its visibility and outreach in a broader audience. Another major development is the ACMECS Development Fund (ACMDF), a dedicated financing mechanism designed to support high-priority projects aligned with the Master Plan. Member Countries are currently finalising its modalities and working toward the selection of an appropriate fund management agency. Together, the establishment of the AIS and progress on the ACMDF mark important steps toward institutionalising ACMECS and ensuring long-term benefit for countries across the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong rivers.

Looking Ahead

ACMECS is steadily advancing its integration and development agenda. The next phase of cooperation will focus on putting plans into action, reinforcing ACMECS’s role as a strategic engine for socio-economic growth and connectivity in the Mekong subregion. As Member Countries and Development Partners work together, ACMECS is well-positioned to unlock new opportunities, enhance regional competitiveness, and shape a more resilient, sustainable future for the people of the Mekong.

Business partners joining hands in a stack, symbolising cooperation

Topics
ACMECSAgricultural CooperationASEANAyeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation StrategyBagan DeclarationDevelopment PartnersEconomic CooperationHuman Resources DevelopmentIndustrial CooperationMultidimensional ConnectivityRegional IntegrationSoutheast AsiaSustainable DevelopmentTechnological InnovationTourism CooperationTrade and InvestmentTransport Linkages

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