Cambodia hosts regional seminar on revitalizing multilateralism under LMC

Supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA.IC) of the Kingdom of Cambodia successfully concluded the Regional Seminar entitled “LMC and Multilateralism: Challenges and Ways Forward for Shared Growth” held from July 9 to 11 in Siem Reap Province.

Participants of the seminar pose for a group photo.

The opening ceremony of the seminar was presided over by His Excellency Meas Kimheng, Secretary of State of the MFA.IC. The event commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by His Excellency Hun Saroeun, Under Secretary of State of the MFA.IC and Project Director, followed by a keynote address from Mr. Fan Manjiang, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.

The seminar was conducted in a Track 1.5 Diplomacy Dialogue format, bringing together 65 high-level participants, including senior government officials, diplomats, scholars, researchers, and policy practitioners from across all the LMC member countries: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The dialogue featured four thematic panel discussions focusing on Political and Security, Socio-Culture, Economic Integration and Sustainable Development, and Mechanism Design and Policy Validation.

The seminar of LMC and Multilateralism: Challenges and Ways Forward for Shared Growth

Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global environment, discussions highlighted the critical importance of political trust, inclusive economic integration, and stronger institutional cooperation. The seminar successfully served as a vital platform to disseminate and validate the findings of a Policy Paper on revitalizing multilateralism, affirming the important role of multilateralism as the driving force for addressing shared challenges in a mutually beneficial manner.

Both the paper's findings and the seminar discussions emphasized the indispensable function of the LMC mechanism in this endeavor. Participants underscored that by enhancing cross-border coordination, the mechanism is uniquely positioned to address current regional issues while actively preparing member states to address future uncertainties.

The seminar successfully concluded with a comprehensive sum-up by His Excellency Heng Sarith, Director-General of the MFA.IC and Project Manager. Official closing remarks were delivered by His Excellency Mao Titiarun, Director-General of the MFA.IC, representing His Excellency Kan Pharith, Chairman of the LMC Cambodia National Secretariat.

Participants of the seminar have a field visit.

Beyond formal meeting day, both international and local participants engaged in a Cultural Diplomacy Retreat. This included sightseeing at the Angkor Wat Temple Complex, visiting the Angkor National Museum, and experiencing authentic Khmer cuisine. To further advance cultural diplomacy, delegates received a special and meaningful briefing by His Excellency IM Sokrithy, representative of the APSARA Authority, on “THE GREAT HYDRAULIC EMPIRE: Khmer Cities and the Lifeline of the Mekong & Tonle Sap Systems”. These cultural activities provided valuable opportunities for meaningful networking, and deeper people-to-people exchanges among delegates.

The momentum generated during this three-day event has effectively fostered the LMC spirit among participants. It serves as an essential foundation for strengthening professional networks and deepening the collective trust required to advance the vision of a "Community of Shared Future of Peace and Prosperity" across the Mekong-Lancang region. Ultimately, these collaborative efforts have set a robust intellectual and institutional groundwork as the framework confidently transitions into the forward-looking, high-quality cooperation era of LMC 2.0.