Five Mekong countries, one sub-region: cooperating for seamless, synchronized, smart and sustainable growth.
The Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, or ACMECS, was established in 2003 as a platform to stimulate the economic cooperation and development of the sub-region revolving around the three major rivers – the Ayeyawady in Myanmar, the Chao Phraya in Thailand, and the Mekong which runs through Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.
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Cambodia
Lao PDR
Myanmar
Thailand
Viet NamPromote seamless connectivity through multi-modal transport links.
Enhance software connectivity by fostering trade, investment, industrial cooperation, and financial cooperation.
Promote the development of human capital in strategic areas, while retaining existing areas of cooperation established under ACMECS.
On 9 September 2026, Mr. Nawin Chirapant assumed the responsibility of the Director of the ACMECS Interim Secretariat, succeeding Ms. Soonthriya Kanchana.
ACMECS has effectively coordinated with other subregional mechanisms by positioning itself as an open platform highly aligned with ASEAN Centrality. … Such a coordination model not only prevents the fragmentation of the regional architecture but also ensures that member states, while efficiently tapping into international resources, can maintain a balance between autonomy and development cooperation through a unified voice.
The Fund is also important because it provides a flexible framework for cooperation with development partners. Partners can support ACMECS in several ways, such as funding specific projects, creating country-focused funding arrangements that match their own priorities, or contributing to a common regional pool. This flexibility makes the Fund attractive to external partners and helps align their expertise with the needs of the Mekong subregion.
At the local and societal level, the benefits of ACMECS projects become more visible in everyday life. Cooperation in sectors such as education, health, energy, and climate adaptation further strengthens social well-being and community resilience. In particular, the growing emphasis on ‘soft connectivity’—including knowledge exchange, human resource development, and people-to-people links—ensures that regional cooperation translates into inclusive and people-centered development.
