Thailand’s Mekong Institute bags ASEAN Prize 2021

The Mekong Institute in Thailand has received the ASEAN Prize 2021 for boosting regional cooperation towards sustainable development.

In a statement on Thursday, the ASEAN indicated that Mekong Institute's award stemmed from "a range of capacity development programs, research studies, publications, and multi-institutional engagements."

The institute further led the advancing of regional cooperation and integration, particularly in responding to priority needs of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The Mekong Institute also enforced cross-sectoral projects in agricultural development and commercialization, trade and investment facilitation, and sustainable energy and environment.

These  programs helped support the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals' 2030 vision, the reional organization said.

The Mekong Institute was awarded by the region's leaders at the ongoing ASEAN summit, chaired by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday.

During the congratulatory remarks, ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi acknowledged the Mekong Institute’s aspiration in promoting sustainable development and how they have created a pivotal strength and driving force for regional economic growth, especially for mainland ASEAN.

“Their key role in community development and capacity building, publication as well as research and training programs have helped bridge the gap in the region, accelerating equitable growth towards an inclusive, cohesive and prosperous ASEAN Community,” said Dato Lim. “ASEAN appreciates Mekong  Institute’s 25 years of dedication towards realizing this objective and hopes the Prize will encourage and support their work going forward,” he said.

The ASEAN Prize is an annual regional award administered by the ASEAN Secretariat, which recognizes  individuals or organizations based in ASEAN that have "demonstrated outstanding work with significant contribution to community building efforts."

Recipients of this award will get a trophy and a cash prize of US$20,000 sponsored by Temasek Foundation of Singapore and Yayasan Hasanah of Malaysia. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News