At the opening ceremony of the Mekong-Lancang cooperation (Source: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – The Mekong-Lancangcooperation (MLC) media summit kicked off in the Lao capital city of Vientianeon June 27.
Themed “Cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong Communityfor a Bright Future”, the summit brought together senior media representativesfrom Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In his opening remarks, Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, headof the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Commission forPropaganda and Training, said the summit is of great significance as it helpspromote cooperation and understanding between people and press agencies of theparticipating countries, thus creating a foundation to realise the common goalsreached by leaders of the relevant countries on the basis of the MLC framework.
At the second MLC Leaders Meeting which took place inPhnom Penh, Cambodia earlier this year, the heads of states approved the PhnomPenh Declaration and the Five-Year Plan of Action for 2018-2022 with majororientations and measures to implement cooperation on the three pillars ofsecurity-politics; economy and sustainabledevelopment; society, culture, and people-to-people exchange.
The summit was jointly held by theLao Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism alongside Chinese newspaperPeople’s Daily.
The delegates are expected to work in groups on July 3to discuss strengthening their cooperation in media, especially new media, andtourism promotion.
The MLC is a sub-regional cooperationmechanism that was jointly established in 2016 by six countries along theMekong River, namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. -VNA
Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said cooperation among six countries that share the Mekong – Lancang River should focus on water management for sustainable growth in the region.
Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Khamphau Onthavan and Chinese Ambassador to Laos Wang Wentian on January 2 signed an agreement on Mekong-Lancang cooperation funding for Lao projects, according to the Lao News Agency (KPL).
Themed “Our River of Peace and Sustainable Development”, the 2nd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting is opened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 10, 2018.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
At the opening ceremony of the Mekong-Lancang cooperation (Source: VNA) 
