GMS in the News

7th Mekong–Lancang Cooperation Adopts Joint Statements on Cooperation in Agriculture and Trade Facilitation

Foreign ministers of Mekong–Lancang Cooperation member countries vowed to strengthen their cooperation in economic integration, agriculture and food security, green development, innovation, public health and people-to-people exchanges, at the 7th Mekong - Lancang Cooperation meeting. 

The meeting adopted four joint statements on strengthening agricultural cooperation, disaster prevention, customs and trade facilitation, and exchanges between MLC civilizations. 

19th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Working Group on Agriculture (WGA)

The 19th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) will feature the theme "Adaptation of Greater Mekong Subregion Agriculture in the context of Climate Change, and the Water-Food-Energy (WFE) Nexus." There is increasing evidence of substantial trade-offs among water, food, and energy sectors in the GMS and climate change is exacerbating such trade-offs.

Fisherwoman in Stung Sangke river, Battambang province. Photo by Eric Sales/ADB. 

Proposed ADB Project to Help Boost Cambodia’s Fisheries and Tourism Sectors

A proposed Asian Development Bank (ADB) project will help finance two standard ports that will boost the fisheries and tourism sectors of Cambodia’s Kep province.  

A report by the Khmer Times shared provincial officials and ADB are working to establish the ports’ locations, according to Mr. Vao Sokha, Kep Deputy Governor.  

Moeun Yada from Prey Sangha Village, Kgnach Romeas commune, Bavel district in Battambang province, Cambodia. Photo by Sokunthea Chor/ADB. 

COVID-19 Food Security Response and Recovery Actions in Cambodia

The workshop “COVID-19 Food Security Response and Recovery Actions in Cambodia” was held virtually on 3 March 2022. It was led by Cambodia’s national coordinator of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Working Group on Agriculture (WGA), and attended by about 50 representatives from the government, development partners and the private sector. The workshop discussed priority actions for agriculture and food security in accelerating Cambodia’s response and recovery from COVID-19.

Soeung Bunthoeun, 66, is one of the Agricultural Cooperative Sangha Phal community members in Prey Sangha Village, Kgnach Romeas commune, Bavel district in Battambang province. Photo by Chor Sokunthea/ ADB. 

Climate-smart Agriculture in the context of the Water-Food-Energy Nexus

The workshop “Climate-smart Agriculture in the context of the Water-Food-Energy Nexus” will be held on 24 March 2022, supported by the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (TA 9916). TA 9916 aims to contribute to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) assistance on the Water-Food-Energy Nexus and assist in promoting cooperation across the GMS in efforts to reduce Nexus trade-offs.

Photo by ADB 

GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program and GMS Countries Reach Agreement in Principle for First 6 Demonstration Sites

Demonstrations or pilot farms were implemented in large scale in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) during the Core Agriculture Support Program (CASP) and will continue to form an important part in the GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (SAFSP). At least 12 demos will be set up across the subregion. These demos will offer important learning opportunities for target groups, especially the farmers, and practical results will provide feedback for policy making process.

Photo by ADB

Young People are Encouraged to More Actively Engage in GMS Agri-food Value Chains

The ageing agricultural labor force in most of GMS countries is causing significant obstacles for the development of agro production activities, not only in productivity but also in innovation. Developing or applying knowledge-based and innovative aspects such as climate smart agriculture, digitalization, block chain technologies and other innovations is crucial for the sector to become more sustainable and competitive. Youth in the region is the generation to continue to work in this essential field, and they play a pivotal role in transforming agri-food systems.

ADB Encourages GMS Countries to Propose Investment Projects to Capitalize on the Implementation of the GMS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program

As a technical assistance (TA) program, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program (SAFSP) itself will not satisfy the vast needs of some GMS countries for infrastructure and facilities. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) therefore recommends each GMS Agriculture ministry to capitalize on this TA, together with other efforts, to come up with investment projects. Mr.

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