The Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030

The Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) aims to strengthen regional cooperation and integration in critical areas. GMS-2030 builds upon recognized strengths with a project-led approach that will benefit the community, support connectivity, and improve competitiveness. It also emphasizes the challenges of the coronavirus disease and aims to ensure that government strategies are conducive to a robust recovery in the medium term and beyond. Based on decades of success and program experience, GMS-2030 provides continuity, but will be updated, as necessary, to reflect evolving global or regional forces that may impinge on GMS development prospects.

This report shows how the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) can leverage its regional position to boost trade, increase agriculture, and harness the power of its cities to promote inclusive and equitable growth. Analyzing the Lao PDR’s production and trading structure, it details the Greater Mekong Subregion’s plan to improve competitiveness, community, and connectivity in order to converge income and living standards between members. Outlining the need for structural transformation, it discusses the potential for the Lao PDR to upgrade its value chain positioning, diversify its industries, and capitalize on regional cooperation to achieve its development targets.

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program will begin its third decade in 2012. Since its inception, the program has achieved noteworthy successes in fostering cooperation in a region that, at the commencement of the program, was emerging from a period of prolonged conflict. The program has built a reputation as a flexible, results-oriented, project-delivering vehicle for promoting regional cooperation and contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction as well as to the provision of regional public goods. Increased recognition of the benefits of regional cooperation is manifested in the evolution of regionalism both in Asia and more broadly. New institutions have emerged while others have become more vigorous. Within this context of evolving regionalism, the GMS Program remains highly relevant. The start of a new decade is an opportune time for the GMS Program to assess its achievements and develop this new strategic framework for 2012–2022. The new strategic framework builds on the substantial progress the program has made and the likely global and regional trends. It also builds on the commitment that member countries have made in their national development plans to the promotion of regional integration, and will guide the efforts of member countries to steer the program during the new decade to the next level in terms of results.

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries share common challenges and issues that prevent women from fully benefiting from economic opportunities. Many of these challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The GMS Gender Strategy outlines a regional approach for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the subregion. It identifies strategic directions and key entry points to mainstream gender across all operational areas of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program. The strategy adds value to the GMS Program Strategic Framework 2030 and is also designed to complement national initiatives of the six GMS countries to bolster gender equality.

The Greater Mekong Subregion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan 2021–2023 complements the national recovery plans of the GMS countries, which aims to facilitate regional cross-border cooperation. The focus is on human and animal health to prevent the spread of diseases along with additional support for vulnerable and returning migrants and assistance in reestablishing economic activities. It represents a project implementation mechanism for the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030.

The Greater Mekong Subregion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan 2021-2023 complements the national recovery plans of the GMS countries, which aims to facilitate regional cross-border cooperation. The focus is on human and animal health to prevent the spread of diseases along with additional support for vulnerable and returning migrants and assistance in reestablishing economic activities. It represents a project implementation mechanism for the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030.

The East–West Economic Corridor (EWEC) was launched in 1998 as a flagship initiative of the Greater Mekong Subregion. EWEC has since achieved many of its infrastructure targets and must now be transformed from a transport corridor into an economic corridor. This report reviews and updates the Pre-Investment Study for EWEC conducted in 2001. It consolidates the interests and concerns of stakeholders into a revised and updated strategy and action plan to provide a vision and framework, improve coordination, and assist in mobilizing resources for EWEC development. Preparation of this revised and updated strategy and action plan for EWEC involved a series of consultations with government officials of EWEC countries and representatives of the private sector, nongovernment organizations, and development partners. These consultations culminated in a regional workshop held on 24 April 2009 in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The revised and updated strategy and action plan for EWEC was endorsed at the 15th GMS Ministerial Conference held in Cha-am, Petchburi Province, Thailand on 17–19 June 2009.