PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth from the left) and other participants at the summit (Source: VNA)

The session discussed cooperation in the region, the realization of the commitments made at the previous summit, and identified future cooperation priorities. The leaders pledged to join efforts to boost the Mekong cooperation, uphold the Commission's role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals across the region, boosting cooperation with ASEAN, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, and the Greater Mekong Sub Region.

The summit adopted the Siem Riep Declaration which acknowledges the Commission's achievements, points out challenges and opportunities for the region, and identifies priorities in the next four years and further cooperation orientation. In his address, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the Vietnamese government prioritizes responses to negative impacts in the Mekong delta region caused by climate change, extreme weather, and human activities. He stressed the need to equally, promptly, and sustainably use water and other resources at the Mekong River. Prime Minister Phuc said: "We need to fully, practically, and effectively implement the 1995 Mekong Agreement as well as the Commission's regulations, increase its monitoring and coordination role in the realization of commitments by member countries. We need to work out a regional development strategy in harmony with water resource plans of member countries and framework plan on sustainable use of the Mekong river’s water resources. It’s necessary to share information and data in the Mekong-Lancang region.”

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation arrived in Hanoi on Thursday successfully concluding a trip to Cambodia for the 3rd Mekong River Commission Summit at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hunsen.