Delegations of the CLMV countries met in Bangkok to exchange their experiences in implementing the Agenda 2030
CLMV-countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam) meet for annual HSF-workshop to discuss national implementation challenges of the Agenda 2030

Group picture of conference participants

HSF

This event is part of a continuous dialogue on the implemenation process of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region, which the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam and the Asia-Europe Foundation are coordinating and co-organizing since 2014. This year’s Regional Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation was co-organized with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as a hosting partner.

The 1,5-day conference gathered over 50 representatives of south east Asian governments, development partners and academia from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. The CLMV Regional Conference 2018 highlighted the challenges and solutions that developing states in the region are facing in their way towards implementing the 2030 Agenda domestically. In his opening speech ASEF’s Deputy Exectutive Director, Mr SUN Xiangyang, underlined that the conference is depicting “an opportunity to look deeper into common challenges faced by CLMV countries.” Among others he emphasized “funding issues both on the international and national level, coordination of partnerships and difficulties in monitoring SDGs implementation on the national level” as key issues. The conference focused especially on unique approaches relevant to the context of the countries in question. For that the participants were able to benefit from contributions of experts in the field of private sector engagement, NGO’s and international think tanks.

Dr. Axel Neubert during his introduction speech

HSF

Dr. Axel Neubert, Director of HSF Vietnam, highlighted the importance of sustainability stressing that “the past development of most European and Asian countries has heavily relied on the exploitation of natural resources”. Furthermore, he highlighted serious challenges for development such as “losses in biodiversity, increasing health risks, energy security issues and climate change”.

The conference has succeeded in providing a forum for experts to exchange experiences on innovative financing for sustainable development, mobilizing national resources and successful involvement of the private sector in the national planning process towards the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, an exchange of different regional approaches to Public-Private-Partnerships in Asia and Europe was successfully promoted.