8th GMS Summit: SAC Chairman PM attended 8th GMS Summit

The 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit took place in the morning on November 7 at the Haigeng Convention Center in Kunming, People’s Republic of China.

Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the event, together with the leaders from the GMS countries as well as the President of the Asian Development Bank, ministers, deputy ministers, senior officials, and representatives.

The summit was held in two parts: a “Leaders’ Retreat” and a “Plenary Meeting.” In the Leaders’ Retreat session, Chair of the session, Chinese Premier Mr. Li Qiang delivered an opening remark and the Heads of States discussed ways to strengthen regional cooperation under the theme "Towards a Better Community through Innovation-driven Development."

The SAC Chairman discussed that in implementing for innovation-driven development in each sector of the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, it needs to emphasize on the administration, human resource, research and development, cooperation and fund. He added that Myanmar is drafting the innovation road map based on these facts, and called for cooperation of entrepreneurs in the region in this process.

The SAC Chairman pointed out that all member countries have already enacted the Intellectual Property Laws along with the other related laws in each sector, and affirmed that the progress could be achieved through collaboration among the GMS countries in innovation fields. Following the discussion, the Chinese Premier provided a summary, delivered a conclusion remark.

Then, the Plenary Meeting followed under the theme " Towards a Better Community through Innovation-driven Development," with the participation from the leaders of six GMS countries, the ADB President, ministers, deputy ministers, senior officials, and representatives from partner organizations, the private sector, and local government officials from member countries, totaling around 200 participants. After opening remarks by the Chinese Premier, each national leader and the ADB President delivered speeches.

During his speech, the SAC Chairman expressed thanks to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their warm hospitality, and wished for restoring normalcy of the areas affected by Typhoon Yagi through collaborative efforts for rehabilitation among the governments, ASEAN, international community and people.

Concerning the approval of Concept Paper, the SAC Chairman discussed that the global nations are now paying special attention on innovation, and thus, the approval of Innovation Strategy could be a major driving force for the Greater Mekong Sub-Region countries in implementing for boosting production, technology development, creating new industries and employment opportunities.

The Innovation Strategy 2030 was drafted to accelerate the cooperation in implementing the GMS 2030 Vision, and the Concept Paper was adopted during the 26th GMS Summit, held in Myanmar in December 2023.

In Myanmar, efforts are being made to finalize the drafting of National Science, Technology and Innovation Road Map (2025-2030), and will work together through collaboration. He added that Myanmar will continue collaboration in implementing bilateral agreements and international commitments. He called for cooperation of all concerned parties in implementing the development projects which could support the socio-economic progress in the GMS region.

The meeting continued with reports on developments since the 7th GMS Summit, the 2024 GMS Economic Corridor Provincial/Regional Level leaders’ forum and the outcome of the development partner meeting.  The meeting also approved the Joint Summit Declaration and the GMS 2030 Innovation Strategy.

The GMS Economic Cooperation Program, established in 1992, has facilitated regional cooperation for over three decades. Starting in 2002, summits have been held every three years on a rotational basis among the six GMS member countries.

Myanmar previously hosted the 4th GMS Summit in Naypyidaw on December 19th and 20th, 2011. The summits focus on pledges for regional development goals and joint declarations by national leaders. At this 8th summit, the Joint Summit Declaration and the Innovation Framework were formally endorsed.