[Title] Mekong-Japan Action Plan for realization of the "Tokyo Strategy 2012"
Pursuant to the "Tokyo Strategy 2012" adopted at the Fourth Mekong-Japan Summit, Japan and Mekong region countries adopted the Action Plan with concrete actions and measures as follows at Fifth Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
1. Pillar 1: Enhancing Mekong Connectivity
1.1 Actions and measures to implement projects on the way of enhancement of physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity regarding economic corridors
- Japan will implement steadily a study of "Cambodia National Road No. 5 Rehabilitation Project".
- Japan and Cambodia will continue the discussion towards assistance for the for the improvement of National Road No. 1".
- Japan and Cambodia will implement steadily the "Project for 'Construction of Neak Loeung Bridge'".
- Japan and Cambodia will implement steadily the "Sihanoukville Port Multipurpose Terminal Development Project".
- Thailand and Myanmar will support the development of Dawei Deep Seaport and Connection Road to Thailand. Japan will examine the possibility of its cooperation. In this connection, Japan, Thailand and Myanmar will establish a trilateral dialogue for the development of Dawei seaport and related infrastructure, such as connection route to Thailand, special economic zone, trade and transport facilitation with a view to enhancing confidence of private sectors.
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Cai-Mep Thi Vai International Port Construction Project".
- Japan and Lao PDR will implement steadily the "Project for Improvement of National Road No. 9" (as East West Economic Corridor of the Mekong region) .
- Lao PDR will implement steadily maintenance of National Road No. 12 from the Third Mekong Bridge to Lao-Viet Nam border which connects to Vung Ang Seaport.
- Japan will implement a feasibility study on logistics by referring to the survey report on transportation between Bangkok and Hanoi via the Third Mekong Bridge conducted by JETRO.
- Recognizing potential of Route No.8 and No.12 in addition to the East-West Economic Corridor, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam will implement the study of ways and means to facilitate transportation of passengers and goods along these routes, the possibility of trilateral arrangement between Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam, including the legal framework, and mobilization of funding for the improvement of these roads and facilities along these roads to meet the required standards.
- Viet Nam will implement steadily construction of the Expressway from Hanoi to Hai phong Port and maintenance of National Road No. 1.
- Thailand and Myanmar will implement steadily maintenance of the East-West economic corridor between Mae Sot and Mawlamyine.
- Japan and Lao PDR will implement steadily the "Project for Expansion of Vientiane International Airport in the Lao PDR".
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Terminal 2 Construction Project in Noi Bai International Airport".
- Japan will continue to implement steadily a study of "Long Thanh International Airport Construction Airport".
- Japan and Cambodia will implement steadily the "Greater Mekong Telecommunications Backbone Network Project".
- The Mekong region countries will promote the full implementation of Greater Mekong Subregion Cooperation (GMS)- Cross Border Transport Agreement (CBTA).
- Viet Nam will promote the initiative to "Enhance Connectivity of Economic Corridors in the Mekong Subregion by Multi-Modal Transport".
- Japan and Viet Nam will continue the discussion on the possibility of developing the following projects:
* The construction of linkage road (2.7km) from East – West Highway of Ho Chi Minh city to Ho Chi Minh – Trung Luong Highway.
* The upgrade of 17km road linking National Road 19 and National Road 1A.
* The construction of Dai Ngai bridge connecting Soc Trang province and Tra Vinh province.
- Japan and Viet Nam will promote a collaborative partnership in sharing technologies and know-how in the road field through seminars.
- The Japan and Mekong region countries will share the information on cooperation implemented by other donors and international organization, especially in infrastructure projects for economic corridor, in order to enhance international collaboration in this area.
1.2 Actions and measures for further implementation of Mekong-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Initiative (MJ-CI)
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will implement steadily the "Mekong-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Initiative (MJ-CI) Action Plan," adopted at the Second Mekong-Japan Summit in 2010, especially by prioritizing those projects with strong business needs from Mekong countries and Japan, through Mekong-Japan Industry and Government Dialogues and survey on business needs in the Mekong subregion conducted by JETRO. With a view to steadily implementing the priority projects, Japan and Mekong region countries will hold Mekong-Japan Industry and Government Dialogue annually so that involvement of private sectors could be secured. Also, Japan and Mekong region countries will hold small dialogue sessions between relevant government agencies and private sectors in each Mekong countries. For the implementation and assessment of the MJ-CI (Action Plan, Japan and the Mekong region countries will utilize AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee Working Group on West-East Economic Corridor Development (AMEICC WEC-WG) as a main coordination body.
1.3 Actions and measures for trade facilitation and customs modernization in the Mekong region, particularly through the implementation of "Asia Cargo Highway" Initiative shared by Japan and ASEAN member countries to realize the seamless flow of goods in Asia by 2020
- Japan and the Mekong region customs authorities will implement steadily the measures and assistance for trade facilitation and customs modernization, as agreed to realize the "Asia Cargo Highway" Initiatives, including the introduction of Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System (NACCS) into Viet Nam by March 2014 and its related capacity building for custom officers.
1.4 Actions and measures for development of next-generation information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in Mekong region, through the implementation of the "ASEAN Smart Network" Initiative
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will take following actions to realize the "ASEAN Smart Network" Initiative, for development of ICT infrastructure and its utilization which solves societal issues such as environment, natural disasters, and many others.
* Japan and the Mekong region countries will share the results of the feasibility study, which is to be implemented, at Mekong-Japan meetings and formulate projects.
* Japan will implement pilot projects in the region to promote ICT infrastructure and its utilization.
2. Pillar 2: Developing Together
2.1 Actions and measures for a sound macro economy
- Japan will implement cooperation for creating an "Industrialization Strategy and Action Plan towards 2020".
- Japan will support the establishment of market economy structures in Myanmar.
2.2 Actions and measures to enhance industrial development in Mekong region countries
- Japan will consider the possibility of the "Nam Ngum 1 Hydropower Station Extension Project in Laos" to enhance electricity supply.
- Japan and Lao PDR will implement steadily the "Southern Region Power System Development Project" to enhance electricity supply.
- Japan will consider the possibility of "Project for Rehabilitation of Baluchaung No. 2 Hydropower Plant" to enhance electricity supply.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will examine assistance for improving the power grid interconnection to realize stable power supply in the region, by cooperating closely with concerned organizations such as the Asia Development Bank (ADB).
- Japan will support enhancement of SMEs by dispatching experts and implementing training courses to enhance supporting industry in the Mekong region
- Japan will enhance an eco-friendly approach in the mining industry, by improvement of infrastructure related to major mine reserves in the Mekong region through ODA or other schemes to promote Japanese companies to participate in the development of infrastructure in the Mekong region.
- Japan will organize workshops and dispatch experts for individual industries in cooperation with JETRO and other organizations concerned, for enhancement of emerging sectors in the respective countries of the region, such as the food processing industry, garment industry and machinery industry and tourism industry and for the creation of new industries and services.
- Japan and Mekong region countries welcome that Mekong Institute (MI) work with JICA and NESDB Thailand to initiate "Industrial Estates Standardization Program" in Mekong region.
- Japan will examine the possibility of the assistance for Mekong Institute (MI) to its activity to expand private sector development on East-West Economic Corridor and to enhance competitiveness of SMEs in SECs.
- Japan and Viet Nam will continue the discussion on the possibility of the cooperation for development of high-quality universities in Viet Nam.
- Viet Nam will continue to develop the project proposal of the initiative of Mekong Vocational Training Center. Japan takes note the efforts of Vietnam to formulate the initiative.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries welcome the following initiatives conducted by JETRO:
* Organization of commercial matching to enhance support for industries in Viet Nam
* Dispatch of experts towards food safety and security to strengthen competitiveness of the food industry
* Organization of seminars to support local Thai enterprises to make inroad into Japan
* Commencement of JETRO's research project titled "ASEAN Economic Integration and the Myanmar Economy", which aims to produce evidence-based policy recommendation for Myanmar's economic reforms and development
- Japan will continue joint training programs for the fostering of entrepreneurs in the Mekong region countries through the network of the existing Japan Centers in CLV countries.
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Ha Noi City Urban Railway Construction Project (Line 1)".
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Ha Noi City Urban Railway Construction Project (Line 2)".
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Construction Project (Line 1)".
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Hoa Lac Science and Technology City Development Project".
- Japan and Cambodia will implement steadily "Siem Reap Water Supply Expansion Project".
- Japan will continue to implement steadily the study of the "Ha Noi City Urban Railway Construction Project (Line 5)".
- Japan and Viet Nam will continue to cooperate on developing urban railway network, supporting the establishment of its operating organization, and supporting the legislation for the inauguration in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Japan will support to strengthen transport and logistics by domestic shipping, including the modernization and replacement of oil tanker fleet in Thailand and providing support for the improvement of passenger ships in Myanmar.
- Japan will strengthen its support to national races in Myanmar, such as through the construction of schools, hospitals, roads and agricultural development.
- Japan will examine cooperation through the Policy Dialogue on Myanmar-Japan Cooperation in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
- Japan will support activities of the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance and implement assistance for enhancement of capacity, such as in Lao PDR.
- Japan and Mekong region countries will enhance knowledge-sharing opportunities on the SME financing systems towards an easier access to finance by local SMEs.
- Japan will implement steadily its assistance for the developing of the telecommunication infrastructure in Myanmar such as world wide web and broadcasting.
- Japan will support developing information infrastructure with ICT in order to contribute to the economic development of Thailand.
- Japan will implement "Public Key Infrastructure for Information Security with the Use of Multi-Agent System" in Myanmar, through Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
2.3 Actions and measures to improve the economic environment for intra-Mekong and foreign investment
- Japan and Mekong region countries will cooperate to develop special economic zones (SEZs) in Mekong countries.
- Japan and Myanmar will consider the possibility of development of Thilawa, including SEZ, in Myanmar.
- Japan will implement a training program on Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development of CLMV countries.
- Mekong region countries will facilitate the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) and ASEAN Framework for Agreement on Services (AFAS).
- Japan and Myanmar will make progress on negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement.
- Japan and Mekong region countries welcome JETRO to organize workshops for Japan and local enterprises in cooperation with relevant government agencies of respective Mekong region countries with a view to enhance understanding of FTAs.
- Japan and Mekong region countries welcome the various activities to promote trade and investment between them conducted by JETRO, such as promotion of Japanese investment, including investment in the service industry, measures to support development of the supporting and export industries in the Mekong region and the One-Village-One-Product exhibition.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will encourage initiatives for facilitation of trade and investment conducted by the Japan-ASEAN Centre.
- Japan will utilize a special trade and investment finance framework for the improvement of infrastructure in Asia by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), together with Japanese ODA loans and other schemes, to promote private companies to move into the market in the Mekong region.
2.4 Actions and measures to promote public-private cooperation
- Japan will continue to organize the Forum for the Promotion of Public and Private Cooperation in the Mekong Region.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will continue the existing public-private joint dialogues for the promotion of trade and investment.
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Lach Huyen Port Infrastructure Construction Project".
- Japan will continue to examine assistance for the "Utility Management of Environment-Friendly Industrial Parks and Water Supply Project" in Long An (Viet Nam), based on a study on this project.
- Japan will continue to examine assistance for "The PPP Duong River Water Supply System Project in Hanoi"(Viet Nam), based on a study on this project.
2.5 Actions and measures to engage Mekong region countries in the global market economy
- Taking into account the Chairman's statement of the 20th ASEAN Summit which looks forward to the launch of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiation by the end of 2012, Japan and the Mekong region countries will enhance cooperation through the Working Groups, and will work with the aim to launch the RCEP negotiations as soon as possible and to make further progress in the discussion for RCEP agreement.
- Japan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam will support the early accession of Lao PDR to the WTO.
2.6 Actions and measures to promote cultural exchange and tourism
- Japan and the Mekong region countries welcome the promotion by the Mekong Area Tourism Promotion Committee of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) based on the "Action Plan".
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will encourage the Japan-ASEAN Centre to promote activities of tourism in the Mekong region.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries, bearing in mind the region's diversity, will enhance exchange and cooperation among them in relevant fields such as preservation and restoration of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, based on the result of the recent cultural mission dispatched to Myanmar.
2.7 Actions and measures to strengthen support for CLMV development and the CLV Development Triangle Area
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will continue to accelerate implementation of projects in the Development Triangle, at the borders of Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam (CLV countries) by utilizing Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund.
- Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam will implement the Action Plan adopted at the CLMV Economic Ministers Meeting.
3 Pillar 3: Ensuring Human Security and Environmental Sustainability
3.1 Actions and measures for disaster management cooperation
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will cooperate to build a resilient society and to establish a post-Hyogo Framework for Action, building on the World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction in Tohoku.
- Japan will promote building a network between the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and disaster management authorities, which contributes to the realization of the concept of the "Disaster Management Network for the ASEAN Region".
- Japan will strengthen its cooperation for the AHA centre and its implementation.
- Japan and Viet Nam will implement steadily the "Project for Disaster and Climate Change Countermeasures Using Earth Observation Satellite".
- Japan will support enhancement of overall preparedness against disasters by joining together measures for hard and soft infrastructure.
- Japan will facilitate building a disaster management ICT system to support flood management in the Chao Phraya River Basin in Thailand.
- Japan and Thailand will promote an initiative to enhance the collaboration between the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Kobe, Japan and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) in Thailand through measures such as people- to- people exchange.
- Japan and Viet Nam will promote cooperation with regard to drainage systems, such as measures for flooding in urban area.
3.2 Actions and measures for environmental and climate change issues
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will implement steadily and expeditiously the "Action Plan for the 'A decade toward a Green Mekong' Initiative", and a revision of the Action Plan if necessary.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will cooperate for a study on sustainable management and development of the Mekong river, including on the impact of mainstream hydropower projects.
- Japan will continue to support water resource management through the dispatching experts to the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will accelerate consultations aiming for utilizing policy tools, especially the possibility of the Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism toward achievement of low carbon growth.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will promote cooperation, building on the outcome of the East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership Dialogue.
- Japan and Cambodia will implement steadily the "West Tonle Sap Irrigation and Drainage System Rehabilitation and Improvement Project"(Cambodia).
- Japan will implement steadily a study of the "Irrigation and Drainage Rehabilitation and Improvement Project" in Cambodia.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will examine the possibility of cooperation on haze prevention measures.
- Japan and Viet Nam will promote cooperation in the field of sewage systems, such as preservation of water environment, utilization of reclamation water, and recycling and energy utilization of sewage sludge.
- Japan and Viet Nam will strengthen cooperation relationships on water resources between both countries through workshops on Integrated Water Resources Management.
- Japan and Viet Nam will take actions to solve environmental and disaster management issues toward building ICT management system, through organizing ICT workshops on disaster management.
- Japan and Viet Nam will consider the possibility of countermeasures to the climate change for sustainable agricultural and rural development in the costal area of Mekong Delta
- Viet Nam will explore the possibility of developing projects in areas of eco-friendly industries.
3.3 Actions and measures to contribute to the achievement of human security goals across the Mekong regional countries by 2015, in cooperation with various development partners
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will take concrete measures for maternal and child health and infectious diseases, with other development partners, to contribute to save approximately 142,000 children's lives, including 80,000 newborns, to save approximately 12,000 maternal lives, to avert approximately 20,000 deaths by AIDS, 16,000 deaths by tuberculosis, and 55,000 deaths by malaria.
- Japan will contribute to overcoming the threat of infectious diseases by training young researchers through promotion of research in the area of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases under the "Japan Initiative for Global Research Network of Infectious Diseases".
- Japan will implement the "Pilot project for the improved Health & Medical environment with ICT for rural areas in Lao PDR" through the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
3.4 Actions and measures to contribute to the achievement of universal health coverage in the Mekong countries
- Japan will examine assisting measures towards universal health coverage, such as training to strengthen the health systems.
- Japan will support construction of hospitals and clinics in poverty-stricken areas.
- Viet Nam will explore the possibility of developing projects in areas of pharmacyand healthcare, disease treatment.
3.5 Actions and measures for food security and safety
- Japan will continue to enhance food security by reserving rice for aid and in case of urgent situation such as natural disasters in the Mekong region under the ASEAN +3 Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) system.
- Concerning the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS), Japan and the Mekong region countries will establish a self-sustaining mechanism and conduct activities of (i) Food Security database, (ii) Agricultural Commodity Outlook (ACO) and ASEAN Food Security Analysis Reports (AFSAR), (iii) Food Security Early Warning and Preparedness, (iv) Training and Capacity development, and (v) Other New Areas related to the food security information, with the support of other international organizations and development donors by 2015. Japan will support for creating of mid-long term forecasting and expanding data items on livestock and feed crops for mid-long term forecasting.
- Japan will cooperate with Mekong region countries to enhance capacity building on food safety of the region such as quarantine management, inspection and control system, and laboratory analysis.
- Viet Nam will explore the possibility of developing projects in areas of food safety.
3.6 Actions and measures for social protection
- Japan will continue to support the promotion of social protection policies for the Mekong region countries, by holding regular meetings such as "ASEAN & Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies" which are aimed to dialogue on social protection for the socially vulnerable including the elderly.
- Japan will continue to support human resource development in the field of social protection by dispatching experts to and receiving trainees from the Mekong region countries via the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other organizations.
- Japan will continue to support to develop and improve social safety nets regarding employment and occupational safety and health of the Mekong region countries and to encourage trade unions and employers' associations to participate in policy making process through collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO), World Health Organization (WHO) and ASEAN.
- Japan will continue to support improvement of social protection in the Mekong region countries, by formalization of informal sector together with international workers' and employers' network.
3.7 Actions and measures to support investment (Respect for internal compliance, decent work, respect of environmental evaluation criteria)
- Japan will take actions to improve the capacity of investment facilitation agencies to support investment.
4 Trans- disciplinary actions and measures
- Japan will cooperate with the Mekong region countries to implement "Japan's Indicative Flagship Projects List", in which 57 projects are listed, presented by Japan at the Fourth Mekong-Japan Summit. The Mekong region countries will make maximum efforts to realize the projects.
- Japan and Thailand will continue the discussion towards the establishment of Infrastructure Working Group.
- Japan will organize enlarged ODA Task Force in Lao PDR to promote the development of infrastructure, as well as to follow up Japan's Indicative Flagship Projects.
- Japan will realize its commitment to the Mekong Region of approximately 600 billion JPY by making use of yen loans, grants and technical cooperation in ODA over three fiscal years (2013-2015).
- The Mekong region countries will take necessary measures to use the Japanese ODA efficiently and effectively
- Thailand will realize its commitment of around 883 million JPY for infrastructure development projects and technical assistance in the Mekong region countries as a donor to the development in the region.
- Japan and Mekong region countries will implement Research Partnership for Sustainable Development Program (SATREPS) to solve global issues involving environment/energy, bioresources, infectious diseases control, and natural disaster prevention.
- Japan and Mekong region countries will implement the e-ASIA Joint Research Program to solve global common issues in East Asia region.
- Japan and the Mekong region countries will continue to discuss regional and global issues regularly at the meetings, such as at the Summit and Foreign Minister and Senior Official level.
- In response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan will implement "Kizuna Project", in which more than 1,345 young people will be invited to Japan or dispatched to the Mekong region in the 2012 fiscal year to promote foreigners' understanding of the recovery of Japan.
- Japan will welcome students from Mekong region countries to Japanese universities and other educational institutions, as well as dispatch more students to the Mekong region countries. Japan will also promote university exchanges with quality assurance between Japan and the Mekong region countries.
5. Follow-up mechanism
- Japan and Mekong region countries will follow up on the progress of the implementation of action and measures in this Action Plan at their regular Mekong-Japan meetings (i.e. Summit, Foreign Minister, Economic Minister and Senior Official levels).
- Ministers also agreed that the Action Plan is a living document and will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary.