On 2 August 2024, Mr. Wattanawit Gajaseni, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), attended the Mekong Institute (MI) Council Meeting 1/2024 on behalf of an MI Council of Thailand, with Cambodia being a Chairman from 2023 – 2025, at Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen, Thailand.  

The meeting acknowledged the progress of MI’s operation in several areas, including the implementation of MI Strategic Plan 2021-2025, and the results of the Mekong Forum 2024 held in Khon Kaen during 31 July – 1 August 2024.  

On this occasion, the Director-General of TICA recommended 3 key approaches for MI’s operation, including (1) a more constructive engagement of MI Member Countries to ensure the effective operation of MI, (2) the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a significant tool to widen opportunities for small entrepreneurs to enhance their competitiveness in the market, and (3) cooperation from all parties concerned to combat transnational crimes diminishing sub-regional development growth, for example, online scams, trafficking in persons, etc. He reaffirmed TICA’s commitment to work closely with all Member Countries and MI in persuing these 3 key approaches.