Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting the 7th Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Regional Working Group Meeting to discuss cooperation in several areas, aiming at moving toward the ASEAN integration at year-end.

Outcomes of the two-day meeting hosted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry will be used to review a draft of the Master Plan of Action for the implementation of the Lower Mekong Initiative 2015-2020, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Discussions include progress in regional cooperation in six major areas: Health, Connectivity, Education, Environment and Water, Agriculture and Food Security, and Energy Security.  

The first meeting of the Eminent and Expert Persons Group (EEPG) was also held to provide recommendations for dealing with regional challenges and approaches toward sustainability.

The meeting was attended by former deputy secretary at ASEAN Secretariat Dr. Suthad Setboonsarng and Assoc Prof Ruth Banomyong, head of the Department of International Business, Logistics and Transport at Thammasat University's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy.

Some 150 representatives from LMI member countries and the U.S. and Friends of the Lower Mekong (Asian Development Bank, World Bank and ASEAN Secretariat) are taking part in the regional meeting.

Source: BERNAMA

Source URL: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/wn/newsworld.php?id=1105062