Subregional Development Strategy in ASEAN after COVID-19: Inclusiveness and Sustainability in the Mekong Subregion (Mekong 2030)

Date:

12 November 2020

Category:

COVID-19, ASEAN, Connectivity, Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Infrastructure, Poverty and Sustainable Development Goals

Type:

Books

Authors:

Fukunari Kimura, Masahito Ambashi, Salvador Buban, Han Phoumin, Rashesh Shrestha, Lurong Chen, Dionisius A. Narjoko, Shigeru Kimura, Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, Michikazu Kojima, Alloysius Joko Purwanto, Dian Lutfiana, Ellen Putri Edita, Hendro Putra Johannes

Editors:

Fukunari Kimura

Tags:

COVID-19, Mekong Region, Connectivity, Infrastructure, Energy, Environmental

Print Article:

The Mekong Subregion (MSR) has been a model subregional development initiative, having achieved high economic growth and rapid poverty alleviation with extensive and innovative international collaboration over the past 3 decades. The remaining development gaps within the region remain substantial, however.

Over the next decade, the MSR will face the challenge of raising the whole region to upper middle-income status. To achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth, clear policy guidance will be required to upgrade its industrial structure and enhance people's welfare.

This report proposes four priority policy areas – connectivity, industrialisation, human welfare, and sustainability – and provides a series of policy recommendations.

The subregional approach has proved to be particularly effective for addressing development gaps, enhancing connectivity, and promoting international coordination. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is encouraged to continue to adopt a multilayered approach to deeper economic integration and to activate other subregional initiatives.