The Subregional Transport Forum (STF) was one of the first sector forums under the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program. Its establishment was recommended by the comprehensive transport sector study prepared in 1993 and endorsed by the 4th GMS Ministerial Conference in 1994.
In general, the STF serves as the key body for reviewing, coordinating and monitoring the regional transport plans and projects of GMS member countries.
In this regard, the STF oversaw the preparation of the GMS Transport Sector Strategies (TSS): the first TSS 1995–2005, the second TSS 2006–2015, and the current TSS 2030. It is also responsible for the overall coordination of the implementation of the TSS 2030, including the preparation and regular review and updating of the transport projects in the GMS Regional Investment Framework 2022.
The STF meets at least once a year.
The Twenty-third Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Subregional Transport Forum (STF-23) was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 14–15 August 2019. The theme for the forum was “Expanding GMS Transport Cooperation to Vital Multi-sector Concerns.”
The Twenty-Second Meeting of the GMS Subregional Transport Forum (STF-22) was held in Mandalay, Myanmar on 21–22 June 2018.
The 21st Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum was held in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic on 19–20 July 2017.
The Twentieth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-20) was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China on 29–30 June 2016.
The Eighteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-18) was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Viet Nam and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Nineteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-19) was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Thailand and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Sixteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-16) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, on 24–25 October 2012. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Rail Transportation (MORT) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Fifteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-15) was held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), on 14–15 September 2011. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Lao PDR and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Fourteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-14) was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR), People’s Republic of China (PRC), on 2-3 December 2010 The Meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport, PRC; the Department of Transport, GZAR; and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).