Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of DAV, opened the Forum by emphasizing the Mekong region’s critical role in supporting over 70 million people and contributing significantly to global food and energy production. He noted that shifting global strategies are reshaping the landscape of regional cooperation. Dr. Son stressed the importance of mutual understanding between Mekong countries and their international partners, calling for greater clarity in expectations on both sides.
Addressing the event, Mr. Simon Kreye, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Vietnam, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Mekong region for Germany and the European Union. He emphasized the region’s role as a key hub for global trade and connectivity, directly linked to Europe’s security and prosperity. Mr. Kreye underscored the value of development partnerships in addressing regional challenges while avoiding over-reliance on any single external power. He reiterated Germany’s commitment to dialogue, multilateralism, and rules-based cooperation as foundations for long-term security. Marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and 35 years of development cooperation between Germany and Vietnam, Mr. Kreye highlighted Germany’s substantial contributions to the Mekong Delta, including over €230 million in recent years for infrastructure, economic development, and coastal protection.
The Forum provided a dynamic platform for discussing the Mekong region’s future amid shifting geopolitics. Through four focused sessions, it examined evolving cooperation frameworks, global strategic interest, regional perspectives, and innovative approaches for future collaboration - highlighting the need for reform and stronger regional agency. Across all sessions, discussions revealed a rich mosaic of perspectives, yet a shared commitment to shaping a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking Mekong region.
The Forum concluded with a unified commitment to building partnerships that are strategic, inclusive, and sustainable - anchored in mutual respect, regional ownership, and a long-term vision for the Mekong’s future.
Both representatives of DAV and German embassy took this opportunity to express appreciation for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and its longstanding commitment to fostering dialogue on foreign and security policy in Vietnam and the wider region. Through its enduring partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, KAS has played a pivotal role in promoting meaningful academic exchange and constructive policy discussions. Initiatives such as the Mekong International Forum have become signature platforms, exemplifying the value of Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogues in enhancing mutual understanding and regional cooperation. By supporting policy debate and academic engagement, KAS has made Germany’s commitment to the region both visible and impactful.
