About Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund

The Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) was established in 2013 as part of the Mekong-RoK partnership, which was launched in 2011. The purpose of the MKCF is to promote and support cooperation in six priority areas outlined in the Han River Declaration of 2011.

The fund provides grants for projects that have a regional focus. These projects should align with the priorities of the recipient countries and address national issues that contribute to the regional integration process. While the funded projects can be implemented in a single country, the benefits should be shared among the countries in the Mekong region and the Republic of Korea (RoK). This approach fosters cooperation and integration within the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The management and financing of the MKCF were agreed upon by the five Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Thailand) and the RoK. The RoK provides an annual contribution to the Mekong Institute (MI), which manages the fund in accordance with the adopted Terms of Reference (TOR) at the 3rd Mekong-RoK Foreign Ministers' Meeting in July 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.

Recognizing the need for more efficient management of the MKCF, the Ministers attending the 5th Mekong-RoK Foreign Ministers' Meeting in August 2015 in Malaysia entrusted MI to act as the Coordinator for the MKCF. This role allows MI to play a central role in coordinating projects and ensuring effective utilization of the fund.

Overall, the MKCF aims to foster regional cooperation and integration by supporting projects that address common challenges and promote development in the Mekong region. By pooling resources and sharing the benefits, the fund strengthens collaboration between the Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea.

The Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF) aims to encourage and support cooperation in seven priority sectors as outlined in the Han River Declaration of 2011. These sectors are:

1. Culture and Tourism: Promoting cultural exchange and tourism cooperation between the Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea.
2. Human Resources Development: Supporting initiatives for capacity building, vocational training, and education exchange programs.
3. Agriculture and Rural Development: Enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainable farming practices, and rural development initiatives.
4. Infrastructure: Supporting infrastructure projects that contribute to connectivity and economic development in the region.
5. Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Encouraging collaboration in the field of ICT, including technology transfer, digital innovation, and connectivity.
6. Environment: Promoting environmental conservation, sustainable resource management, and climate change mitigation.
7. Non-traditional Security Challenges: Addressing non-traditional security issues such as transnational crime, cybersecurity, and disaster management.

These priority areas serve as the framework for cooperation and project implementation under the Mekong-ROK partnership, with the MKCF providing financial support to initiatives in these sectors.