Mekong Forum 2025: Building sustainable partnerships for a shared future

On September 26, the Mekong International Forum 2025 with the theme: "Building sustainable partnerships for the future of the Mekong sub-region" took place successfully in Hanoi.

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Director of the Diplomatic Academy, emphasized that the Mekong River is not only the "source of life" of more than 700 million people but also the foundation of culture, history and regional identity.

The forum, co-organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), brought together more than 20 prestigious international scholars and experts, along with more than 100 delegates from ministries, sectors, universities, research institutes, diplomatic agencies and international organizations in Vietnam.

In his opening speech, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Director of the Diplomatic Academy, emphasized that the Mekong River is not only the “life source” of more than 70 million people living along the river basin, but also the foundation of culture, history and regional identity. In recent times, cooperation mechanisms as well as support from international partners have played an important role, helping the Mekong sub-region countries to address many intertwined challenges, develop socio -economy and improve people's lives.

However, strategic competition and policy adjustments by major countries are having a profound and multi-dimensional impact on cooperation activities in the Mekong sub-region. In that context, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son affirmed that the Mekong International Forum is an opportunity for Mekong sub-region countries and partners to review the past journey and share a vision for a prosperous future for the sub-region.

Mr. Simon Kreye, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Vietnam, affirmed the strategic importance of the Mekong for Germany and Europe.

Sharing his views with Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Mr. Simon Kreye, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Vietnam, affirmed the strategic importance of the Mekong for Germany and Europe. Mr. Kreye highly appreciated the role of Mekong sub-regional cooperation, and emphasized that promoting dialogue, strengthening trust and expanding joint initiatives will help the Mekong respond more effectively to challenges in the new context.

During the morning session, delegates focused on assessing major trends affecting the sub-region. Many opinions said that the Mekong is facing “headwinds” from strategic competition, economic fragmentation and the trend of declining global development funding.

However, international partners still expressed optimism about the prospects of cooperation, affirming their commitment to continue accompanying the Mekong sub-region; at the same time, emphasizing the need to innovate approaches, enhance complementarity and connectivity between mechanisms within and outside the region, and expand cooperation space for the sub-region.

Ms. Nguyen Huong Tra, Acting Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy, spoke at the Forum.

In the afternoon, the Forum focused on discussing the wishes and expectations of the Mekong sub-region countries towards international partners. The basic opinions welcomed the diverse participation of many partners on the basis of trust, transparency, respect for the independence and autonomy of the sub-region countries.

Regarding the direction of Mekong cooperation in the new context, many opinions emphasized that the Mekong needs to make efforts to build solidarity and consensus to achieve a common vision; promote the connecting role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) as well as propaganda and education work for the young generation of the countries. A united Mekong sub-region with a unified voice will create an attractive force to attract the participation of partners.

Speakers and experts attending the Forum.

Through the Mekong International Forum 2025, it can be affirmed that the Mekong sub-region continues to be a dynamically developing area with rich potential and important geopolitical and geostrategic values, attracting the attention of international friends and partners.

Some pictures at the event

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dien-dan-mekong-2025-xay-dung-quan-he-doi-tac-ben-vung-vi-tuong-lai-chung-329118.html