- The Sixth Mekong Ganga Cooperation Ministerial Meeting (6th MGC MM) was held in New Delhi, India on September 4, 2012. The Meeting was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting on September 3, 2012.
- The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna, External Affairs Minister, Republic of India and was attended by H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Kingdom of Cambodia; H.E. Dr. Thongloun
Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lao PDR; H.E. U Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Union of Myanmar; H.E. Jullapong Nonsrichai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand; and H.E.
Mr. Pham Quang Vinh, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
- The Ministers recalled the Vientiane Declaration, the Hanoi Programme of Action and the Phnom Penh Road Map, that define the vision, objectives and specific actions to be taken in the areas for focus under the MGC. The Ministers reviewed the decisions taken
at the 5th MGC Meeting held on August 1, 2007 in Manila, the Philippines and noted the progress in the projects initiated thereof.
- The Ministers reiterated the significance of the MGC for their countries and recalled its strong foundation in the cultural and commercial linkages amongst the member countries over many centuries.
- The Ministers welcomed and adopted the Senior Officials' Report on their meeting held on September 3, 2012. The Ministers agreed with the SOM recommendation that there is considerable potential to expand the partnership into new areas of revelance to trade,
investment, sustainable development and the well-being of the people of MGC countries.
- The Ministers recognized the need for short gestation projects that could directly benefit local communities, with results that are immediate and visible. The Ministers felt that these would give fresh impetus to cooperation under MGC. In this context,
the Ministers welcomed the announcement by India on the establishment of the India-CLMV Quick Impact Projects (QIP) Revolving Fund with an annual contribution of US$ 1 million.
- The Ministers appreciated the completion of construction of the MGC Traditional Asian Textiles Museum building at Siem Reap, Cambodia in December 2011. Cambodia provided the land and undertook the construction with financial contribution by India. The Ministers
recognized that the 1st meeting of the Working Group on the MGC Textiles Museum project, held on May 4, 2012 in Siem Reap, Cambodia had made a number of recommendations and tasked the Senior Officials to undertake appropriate follow up. The Ministers welcomed
the initiative by India for setting up an Integrated Textile Centre with focus on Textile traditions of the MGC Countries as part of the Museum. The Ministers also agreed to utilize the space in the Museum for showcasing performing arts from the MGC countries,
especially since they are intrinsically linked to the textile traditions in these countries.
- The Ministers took note of the ongoing cooperation for the preservation of the world heritage sites in MGC countries. They welcomed the offer of Thailand to work with India in this important area and tasked Senior Officials to identify new initiatives in
this regard. They welcomed Thailand’s offer for MGC participation in the UNESCO supported training programmes for "Under Water Archeological Survey” project.
- The Ministers noted the recent positive developments in India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project and other ongoing cooperation under the India-ASEAN framework to realize India-ASEAN Connectivity. They welcomed, in particular, the Meeting of the
Trilateral Highway Joint Task Force being hosted by India on September 10-11, 2012 in New Delhi. Keeping in view the significance of connectivity amongst the MGC countries, and its associated benefits, the Ministers agreed to expeditiously take forward matters
related to the extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Cambodia and Lao PDR, and to the new proposal for the development of an India-Myanmar-Lao PDR-Viet Nam-Cambodia highway.
- The Ministers noted the threat of drug resistant malaria, which is emerging as a major public health issue in MGC countries, impacting disproportionately on the economically weaker sections. They agreed to recommend that MGC Health authorities consider
the formation of a Working Group in this important sector to share information and cooperate in pandemics management.
- The Ministers recognized the wealth of natural resources and expertise available in the MGC sub-region, and the complementarity amongst Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in MGC countries in terms of product, technology, human resources and market. They
agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a Working Group to review and monitor cooperation in the SME sector including the participation of the private sector wherever applicable and exchange of best practices.
- The Ministers noted the richness of biodiversity in member countries and agreed that its loss would have adverse consequences for food security, health and other life sustaining resources. In the context of ongoing collaboration in different multilateral
fora, the Ministers noted the need for coordination and enhanced cooperation in biodiversity related issues. They welcomed Thailand’s announcement of the World Teak Conference in March 2013 in Bangkok and also the offer for MGC participation in Eco-tourism
and Community-based Tourism training courses organized by the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency in 2013.
- The Ministers acknowledged that rice is the most important crop in MGC countries. Despite significant progress, rice production continues to face many challenges. The Ministers tasked the Senior Officials to explore mutually beneficial cooperation in rice
production techniques and downstream processing projects. They took note of the Concept Paper circulated by India for such cooperation.
- The Ministers noted the establishment and progress of Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs), Centre for English Language Training (CELTs), and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) by India in CLMV countries. They accepted the recommendation of the SOM
that this ongoing cooperation should be strengthened and expanded.
- The Ministers appreciated India’s annual scholarships to MGC countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which have been contributing consistently to capacity building and human resource development of MGC countries.
They welcomed India’s offer to organize special customized capacity building programmes on WTO related issues and trade and sustainability matters. The Ministers agreed on the need for effective and full utilization of scholarships with a view to increasing
trade relations and economic cooperation amongst MGC countries.
- The Ministers appreciated India’s continued support in providing 50 scholarships through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to students from MGC countries and the extension of the scheme to 2016.
- The Ministers reaffirmed the important role of Nalanda University and took note of the progress made by India in re-establishing the Nalanda University. To preserve the long history of intra-Asian interactions, the Ministers tasked the Senior Officials
to explore the possibility of establishment of a Common Archival Resource Centre at Nalanda University to facilitate research on the Mekong Ganga deltaic region.
- The Ministers welcomed the offer of Lao PDR to chair the next MGC meeting. They accepted the recommendation of the SOM that further meetings of the MGC would be chaired by MGC countries in alphabetical order.
- The Ministers agreed to try to schedule the future MGC meetings on the sidelines of annual ASEAN-India Foreign Ministerial meetings.
New Delhi
September 4, 2012