Greater Mekong Subregion Program

16/06/2026

Amid growing global uncertainties, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting deeper regional cooperation under the ASEAN Power Grid—helping countries build more secure, reliable, and sustainable energy systems.
Key efforts include:
🔌 Advancing collaboration between Viet Nam and the Lao PDR to enable up to 8 GW of power imports in the near term
⚡ Easing transmission bottlenecks and optimizing regional energy flows
🌏 Exploring a potential Viet Nam–Malaysia–Singapore electricity link, expanding cross-border connectivity
By investing in regional power integration, ADB is helping ASEAN countries enhance energy security, improve system efficiency, and accelerate the transition to a more resilient energy future. Read more:

ADB President Masato Kanda met General Secretary and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam, congratulating him on his historic re-election and expressing strong support for Viet Nam’s new phase of high-quality, innovation-driven growth under the “Era of National Rise” agenda.

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

China’s Yunnan and Viet Nam strengthen coffee cooperation through Yunnan festival

China’s Yunnan and Viet Nam are exploring deeper cooperation in the coffee sector following the opening of the second Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Coffee Festival in Lijiang, Yunnan province. The event brought together businesses, experts and consumers to promote exchanges in coffee culture, technology and trade. With Việt Nam known for its Robusta coffee and Yunnan for Arabica beans, both sides see strong potential for collaboration in coffee tourism, product development, farmer training and cultural exchange. Industry representatives also highlighted opportunities to strengthen the global presence of both Vietnamese and Yunnan coffee while expanding market connections between the two countries.

For more details, visit https://mekongtourism.org/viet-nam-china-strengthen-coffee-cooperation-opening-new-opportunities-in-yunnan/

Website: www.mekongtourism.org
Follow: Mekong Tourism


Photo Credit: Visit Yunnan China

27/05/2026

Digital technology is rapidly reshaping everyday life. In Asia and the Pacific, developing countries are adapting at different paces.

ADB, Japan, and the Republic of Korea are supporting governments in strengthening their digital systems to improve public services and pursue the global development agenda.

Read the story: https://www.adb.org/multimedia/partnership-report2025/our-stories/getting-ready-to-go-digital/

ADB Japan Funds | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

27/05/2026

Participants from the private sector, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, and other key stakeholders across the Greater Subregion joined the Asian Development Bank-supported GMS Agribusiness Sector Consultation Workshop on 25–26 May in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and virtually, and welcomed the launch of the GMS Agribusiness Network.

The new Network will provide a structured platform to strengthen public-private dialogue, deepen regional business linkages and supply chain integration, and support more coherent and harmonized agribusiness policies across the GMS.

The workshop also spotlighted opportunities to expand access to ADB’s private sector financing, helping unlock greater investment and growth in the region’s agribusiness sector.

National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Oudet Souvannavong, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Deputy Director General Phommy Inthichack, and ADB Country Director for Lao PDR Shanny Campbell co-chaired the meeting.

26/05/2026

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) discussed new opportunities to promote sustainable and resilient tourism investment during a roundtable on the “ASEAN Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Investment Outlook 2030” on 19 May. Tourism Minister Huot Hak highlighted Cambodia’s strong tourism potential, rich cultural and natural assets, improving infrastructure and connectivity, and the “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign, which aims to position the country as a year-round destination. The discussions also focused on improving the investment climate and supporting ASEAN’s long-term vision of becoming a global leader in sustainable, high-value tourism by 2045.

Cambodia and ADB discuss sustainable tourism investment opportunities

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Cambodia discussed new opportunities to promote sustainable and resilient tourism investment during a roundtable on the “ASEAN Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Investment Outlook 2030” on 19 May. Tourism Minister Huot Hak highlighted Cambodia’s strong tourism potential, rich cultural and natural assets, improving infrastructure and connectivity, and the “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign, which aims to position the country as a year-round destination. The discussions also focused on improving the investment climate and supporting ASEAN’s long-term vision of becoming a global leader in sustainable, high-value tourism by 2045.

For more details, visit https://mekongtourism.org/cambodia-eyes-sustainable-tourism-investment/

Website: www.mekongtourism.org
Follow: Mekong Tourism

26/05/2026

An ADB study examines the greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of bioplastics production and end-of-life, as well as the barriers to bioplastics industry growth in Southeast Asia.

Bioplastics are made of substances derived from biomass materials and can be broken down by microorganisms. They help countries fight and move away from petrochemical use.

An ADB study examines the greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of bioplastics production and end-of-life, as well as the barriers to bioplastics industry growth in .

🟠 READ https://development.asia/explainer/addressing-challenges-southeast-asias-growing-biomaterial-industry

Greater Mekong Subregion Program, BIMP East ASEAN Growth Area

22/05/2026

Climate change in the Greater Subregion is reshaping health and migration at the borders. This ADB unveils lessons learned and proposes initiatives to strengthen communities’ climate and balance with broader health quality improvements.

shocks and declining agricultural yields have induced migration in the Lao PDR, which in turn contributed to higher disease transmission, unpredictable access among migrants, and pressure on border facilities.

Findings from multistakeholder consultations informed the Lao PDR’s and health policies, and guided interventions. This ADB unveils lessons learned and proposes initiatives to strengthen communities’ climate and balance with broader health quality improvements.

🟠 WATCH https://events.development.asia/learning-events/secure-webinar-28-resilient-border-areas-climate-and-health-lessons-lao-pdr-and

Greater Mekong Subregion Program, ADB Climate Change, ADB Lao PDR, ADB Cambodia

22/05/2026

On 25–26 May in Vientiane, Lao PDR, public and private sector leaders will convene for the Greater Subregion Agribusiness Sector Consultation Workshop—a key step toward building a more integrated, resilient, and sustainable agrifood system.
Bringing together agribusinesses, chambers of commerce, governments, and development partners, the workshop will:
✅ Launch the GMS Agribusiness Network—a new platform for stronger public–private dialogue
✅ Identify solutions to scale cross-border supply chains and trade
✅ Expand access to innovative financing for agribusinesses
✅ Align policies with private sector realities
As the GMS advances the GMS 2030 Kunming Strategic Framework for Transformation of Agrifood Systems and the GMS Strategy on Private Sector Engagement, alongside ADB’s $40 billion commitment to food systems transformation, this workshop will help unlock new opportunities for growth and regional cooperation.
Join the conversation on the future of agribusiness in the GMS—in Vientiane or online
👉 Visit the event page for Zoom access details, link in the comments

19/05/2026

📊 The latest GMS Regional Investment Framework (RIF) 2026–2028—the GMS Program’s 3-year rolling pipeline translating strategic priorities into concrete investments—features 88 projects valued at $18.8 billion, spanning both investment projects and technical assistance.
🚆 Transport leads the pipeline, with 22 projects totaling $12.9 billion, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing regional connectivity and integration.
🌱 At the same time, the environment and tourism sectors are gaining momentum, each accounting for 20% of projects by number—reflecting a growing focus on sustainability and inclusive growth across the subregion.
📘 Explore the RIF 2028
🔗 Download link in the comments.