Focus on Mekong

Closer cooperation along the Mekong means a better life for all

The Five Mekong states are part of the broader 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and JICA in recent years has been developing closer working ties with both groupings as well as individual countries.

In 2008, JICA and ASEAN agreed to cooperate in several areas after identifying "their respective strengths and comparative advantages as well as areas where they can complement each other."

A central plank is to promote further regional integration improving transport infrastructure, standardizing existing customs procedures, road regulations and other priority areas.

Problems such as environmental degradation, piracy, drug and human trafficking, infectious diseases and terrorism will also be tackled.

In an area which has been wracked by recent wars, the two participants also agreed to work toward both conflict prevention and enhancing peace-building capacities.

A joint study is being undertaken to find ways of strengthening ASEAN's main administrative body, its secretariat and a permanent JICA representative was appointed to that body.

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ASEAN was first established in 1967 by five original member countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam became a member in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997 and Cambodia in 1999.

The group's stated aims are to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development and promoting regional peace and stability.

The ASEAN Vision 2020 agreed the group should be outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.

The ASEAN region has a population of around 584 million people, a total area of some 4.4 million square kilometers, a combined gross domestic product of some US$1,507 billion and total trade of US$1,710 billion.