On 24 June 2024, Mr. Wattanawit Gajaseni, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) welcomed Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of Mekong Instutute (MI) to discuss future cooperation with MI and congratulate on the occasion of Director-General’s assignment.  Also presented at the meeting were Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of TICA, and Ms. Chidchanok Malayawong, Director of Development Promotion and Coordination Division.

Both sides discussed the socio-economic development cooperation in the Mekong Sub-region and strategies to advance the operation of the Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).  The Director-General of TICA gave an opinion on the direction of the new ACMECS Master Plan and sought a suggestion from MI which is considered as a technical support of the ACMECS Interim Secretariat in pursuing the establishment of Permanent Secretariat in Thailand. Moreover, they also discussed the possibility of collaboration between TICA, MI and China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), established by the Government of the People's Republic of China to contribute in accerelating an achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition, Executive Director of MI invited TICA to attend important meetings organized by MI including the MI Governing Board Meeting 1/2024 and Mekong Forum 2024 at the end of July 2024 in Khon Kaen Province.  This forum will be a regional platform for all related stakeholders in the region to gather opinions for the preparation of MI's new 5-year Strategic Plan (2026 - 2030).