The Mekong - Lancang Cooperation comprises of 6 member countries which are Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. This cooperation framework was initiated by Thailand in 2012 aiming at developing cooperative framework in the Mekong economic region by emphasizing sustainable development, reducing inequality, and promoting ASEAN development process. Member countries continuously discuss ways to the cooperative framework and formally announced its establishment at the 1^st Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November 2015.

The Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held annually and the Mekong – Lancang Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting is held bi-annually. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the primary responsible party, whereby the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation framework encompasses 3 areas, in line with ASEAN’s 3 pillars as follows:  

   1. Politics and Stability

   2. Economic and Sustainable Development

     2.1 Expansion of Trade and Investment

     2.2 Improving physical and regulatory connectivity

     2.3 Promotion of financial cooperation

     2.4 Promotion of water resources cooperation and management

     2.5 Promotion of energy cooperation

     2.6 Promotion of private sector participation 

   3. Social, Cultural, and Public Interaction

The Mekong - Lancang Cooperation comprises of 6 Joint-Working Groups in priority areas as follows:

      1. Joint-Working Group on Connectivity

      2. Joint-Working Group on Production Capacity

      3. Joint-Working Group on Water Resources

      4. Joint-Working Group on Agriculture 

      5. Joint-Working Group on Poverty Reduction

      6. Joint-Working Group on Cross Border Economic-Cooperation