Roundtable: Mekong in Asean Sub-Regional Cooperation Architecture: Towards vision 2045

Held this morning at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam as part of AFF 2026, the roundtable on the Mekong sub-region brought together experts, policymakers, and scholars to exchange views on the future of one of Southeast Asia’s strategically important sub-regions.

The discussion highlighted that the development of the Mekong sub-region is increasingly connected to ASEAN’s wider stability, connectivity, and shared prosperity. In a rapidly changing regional and global environment, stronger sub-regional cooperation was seen as an important pathway to supporting the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The roundtable focused on key challenges facing the sub-region, including climate change, water security, energy transition, infrastructure development, livelihood protection, and sustainable growth. Participants also underscored the importance of engaging international partners, while strengthening links between mainland and maritime ASEAN to build a more comprehensive approach to regional development.

The discussion reaffirmed the important role of sub-regional cooperation in building a more resilient, connected, and sustainable ASEAN./.

Photo credit: Hai Anh Luong