(KPL) On July 27, 2024, the Lao PDR and the United States co-hosted the 3rd Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane on the sidelines of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, and U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Antony J. Blinken. Attending were foreign ministers and senior officials from the Mekong member countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The 3rd MUSP Foreign Ministers' Meeting  reviewed the cooperation outcomes between the Mekong member countries and the USA in recent years, focusing on plans and projects under the 2024-2026 Mekong-US Partnership Work Plan. The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation between the Mekong countries and the USA, emphasizing economic and social development in the Mekong sub-region.

Additionally, the meeting set future cooperation directions, prioritizing economic connectivity, environmental protection, water resource management, sustainable management of natural resources, and non-military security.

The meeting adopted two key documents: the 2024-2026 Mekong-US Partnership Work Plan and the Joint Chairmen’s Statement of the 3rd MUSP Foreign Ministers' Meeting. These documents will guide continued cooperation and development efforts in the Mekong sub-region.

During the meeting, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith expressed appreciation to Thailand for assuming the role of MUSP Foreign Ministers' Meeting co-chairmanship from the Lao PDR and thanked the U.S. government for its ongoing contributions to economic and social development in the Mekong sub-region and encouraged the USA to continue enhancing and promoting cooperation with the Mekong member countries.

KPL