Understanding GMS Cooperation and Its Role in Strengthening Regional Connectivity
Introduction to GMS Cooperation
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cooperation, initiated in 1992 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), brings together six Southeast Asian countries — Cambodia, China (specifically Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its primary goal is to foster regional cooperation, supporting sustainable economic growth, infrastructure development, and cross-border connectivity. The GMS has evolved over three decades, gradually extending its scope to include vital areas like transport, trade, environmental protection, agriculture, and human resource development.
Through comprehensive frameworks and collaborative projects, the GMS Cooperation has worked to create a more integrated and connected region, reducing development disparities among its members and promoting shared prosperity. Its central philosophy emphasizes regional connectivity, competitiveness, and community, and each summit builds on these pillars to address current needs and challenges. The eighth GMS Summit, held this week in Kunming, Yunnan, aims to enhance member nations’ collaboration and integration.
GMS Member Countries and their Roles
The GMS member countries are geographically linked by the Mekong River, which flows through each nation, creating a natural bond. Each member plays a unique role in the partnership, contributing to the subregion’s economic and social development. Let’s briefly review each country’s contributions to and benefits from GMS cooperation:
- Cambodia – Cambodia has been active in developing tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure projects through GMS initiatives, enhancing its transport connectivity to other members and benefiting from regional trade networks.
- China – China, primarily represented by Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is an essential driver of infrastructure and investment in the region. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has contributed significantly to the development of major connectivity projects, including railways and highways, that link it to neighboring countries.
- Laos – Landlocked Laos has transformed through GMS infrastructure projects, most notably the China-Laos Railway, which has turned the country into a regional connectivity hub, facilitating trade and reducing transportation costs.
- Myanmar – As Myanmar opens up to foreign trade, it plays a crucial role in linking South and Southeast Asia. GMS cooperation helps Myanmar enhance its connectivity infrastructure, creating pathways for trade and investment.
- Thailand – Thailand is a manufacturing and transport hub within the GMS, with extensive infrastructure and trade connections across the region. GMS initiatives have helped Thailand further develop its logistics network, boosting trade within the subregion.
- Vietnam – With its long coastline, Vietnam has become a key trade and logistics player in the GMS. The country benefits from enhanced cross-border infrastructure, connecting it to other GMS members and facilitating international trade.
The Structure and Goals of the GMS Cooperation
The GMS Program is organized into summits every three years, where member states’ leaders gather to discuss the region’s current challenges and opportunities. The GMS 2030 Strategic Framework identifies key areas of priority for the coming decade, including infrastructure development, cross-border trade facilitation, environmental sustainability, and digital connectivity. Through dialogue and collaboration at each summit, members aim to address mutual concerns, improve the quality of life for their populations, and respond to the changing global economic landscape.
Key Pillars of GMS Cooperation
The GMS Cooperation operates on three key pillars — connectivity, competitiveness, and community — each central to achieving sustainable development across the region.
- Connectivity – Physical infrastructure projects, such as roads, railways, bridges, and ports, are fundamental to GMS’s connectivity goals. For example, the China-Laos Railway, completed recently, has significantly reduced transport costs, creating new logistics pathways across the region. Improved infrastructure enables easier trade, investment, and movement of goods and people, enhancing economic integration.
- Competitiveness – The GMS program encourages initiatives that make the region more competitive globally. This includes promoting trade, fostering investment, and developing human resources. By reducing trade barriers and improving logistics, GMS nations aim to increase their competitive edge, attract foreign direct investment, and support local enterprises in accessing international markets.
- Community – Cooperation in the GMS emphasizes building a community that shares resources, knowledge, and sustainable practices. Projects under this pillar support social inclusion, cultural exchange, and environmental sustainability, recognizing the need to balance economic growth with ecological protection.
The Eighth GMS Summit: Themes and Key Focus Areas
The eighth GMS Summit, held in Kunming this year, highlights the theme “Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development.” This summit encourages members to explore innovative strategies to tackle regional challenges, focusing on openness, connectivity, and coordination.
Prime Minister Hun Manet and other high-ranking officials from GMS member countries are participating in this year’s discussions. The summit aims to build on recent successes and strengthen the region’s resilience amid global uncertainties, especially with the rise of economic and trade tensions internationally. This year’s summit explores ways to integrate GMS cooperation with broader initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
GMS Connectivity: A Foundation for Regional Growth
The importance of connectivity in GMS cooperation cannot be overstated. The GMS region has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its transport infrastructure, expanding the road network by nearly 200,000 kilometers. Enhanced connectivity has had profound effects on trade, travel, and economic activity across the region. Improved infrastructure, such as the China-Laos Railway and cross-border highways, facilitates the movement of goods and people, creating new economic corridors that link major cities and industrial hubs across borders.
Key Infrastructure Projects and Their Impact
- China-Laos Railway – A landmark achievement under GMS cooperation, the China-Laos Railway connects Kunming in China to Vientiane in Laos. This project reduces transportation costs and travel time, transforming Laos from a landlocked nation into a land-connected hub, linking Thailand, Cambodia, and beyond.
- East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) – Stretching from the Andaman Sea in Myanmar to Vietnam’s South China Sea coast, the EWEC improves access to markets and boosts economic activity in lesser-developed areas.
- Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) – This corridor links Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, facilitating cross-border trade and promoting economic development in the region.
- North-South Economic Corridor (NSEC) – Connecting Kunming with Bangkok, the NSEC is essential for trade and transport, reducing the travel distance and time required to move goods across borders.
These corridors strengthen regional logistics networks, integrating GMS countries into global supply chains and enhancing their competitiveness in international markets.
Sustainable Development and Environmental Challenges in GMS Cooperation
As GMS countries progress toward industrialization, they face the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. The region’s rich natural resources are under pressure from development activities, making sustainable practices essential for long-term prosperity.
To address these concerns, the GMS program incorporates environmental initiatives such as forest conservation, water resource management, and renewable energy projects. The focus is on sustainable agriculture, reducing pollution, and safeguarding biodiversity. For example, GMS has introduced transboundary initiatives to manage the Mekong River’s resources effectively, ensuring that all member nations benefit from the river’s waters without compromising ecological health.
Economic Integration and Trade Facilitation
In recent years, GMS cooperation has expanded to include “soft” infrastructure — the regulatory frameworks, agreements, and policies necessary for smooth economic cooperation. By removing barriers to trade and investment, the GMS countries work to create a seamless business environment. Key developments in this area include:
- Trade Agreements – Cross-border trade agreements streamline customs procedures, reduce tariffs, and encourage free movement of goods.
- Investment Policies – Policies that promote foreign direct investment (FDI) contribute to regional economic development by attracting external capital and technology.
- Financial Cooperation – Initiatives such as the Asian Development Bank’s financing programs support development projects across the region, making it easier for GMS countries to secure funding for large-scale infrastructure investments.
The Role of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and RCEP
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) offer GMS countries broader platforms for economic collaboration. BRI supports infrastructure development and connectivity, while RCEP promotes trade liberalization and economic integration across the Asia-Pacific region.
The GMS countries, particularly Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, have benefited from BRI’s infrastructure investments, which complement GMS projects. Meanwhile, RCEP opens doors for GMS members to trade with a larger bloc, enhancing their export potential and making the region an attractive destination for foreign investment.
Future Prospects and Challenges
As the GMS region grows, the focus on innovation and digital transformation will be crucial for maintaining competitiveness. Developing digital infrastructure, such as broadband internet access and e-commerce platforms, will help bridge the technology gap and provide new opportunities for growth.
However, challenges remain, including managing environmental impacts, ensuring equitable growth across member states, and addressing global economic uncertainties. The GMS program continues to adapt to these challenges, fostering a resilient and prosperous future for its members.
Conclusion
The Greater Mekong Subregion Cooperation is a powerful model of regional collaboration, driven by a shared vision of connectivity, competitiveness, and community. Through its strategic framework and trilateral collaboration with initiatives like BRI and RCEP, the GMS continues to build a region where trade flows smoothly, infrastructure supports development, and sustainability remains a priority.