Structure

Governance Structure

MI operates under the MI Charter which came into force when it was signed by the six governments of the GMS in 2003. It states that the institute operates as an autonomous institution under the governance of the Council and Steering Committee. 

The Council is the supreme decision-making body of the institute and its functions are to approve the strategic plan and budget and consider the recommendations submitted by the Steering Committee. This year, 2023, the Chairmanship is Cambodia.

 

CHAIRMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE OF Cambodia

 

H.E. Mr. Chea Chantum
General Secretariat for Population and Development
Ministry of Planning
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Honorary Advisors

Dr. Tej Bunnag 
Secretary-General
The Thai Red Cross Society
Bangkok, Thailand

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Dr. Jean-Pierre A. Verbiest
Associate-Banking and Finance, West Indochina
Senior Consultant, Asian Economies
Bangkok, Thailand

 

Country Representatives

P. R. China

H.E. Mr. Wang Hao
Vice Governor
The People's Government of Yunnan Province
Kunming, Yunnan Province, P.R. China            

Lao PDR

Mr. Somboun Sihanath
Director-General
Department of Economic Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vientiane, Lao PDR

MYANMAR

Dr. Marlar Myo Nyunt
Director General
Foreign Economic Relations Department
Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

THAILAND

Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh
Director General
Thailand International Cooperation Agency
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bangkok, Thailand

VIETNAM

Mrs. Nguyen Yen Hai

Deputy Director General

Foreign Economic Relations Department

Ministry of Planning and Investment

Hanoi, Vietnam

 

Academic Representatives

Khon Kaen University:
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D
Acting President
Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen , Thailand
Hue University:
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Linh
President
Hue University
Hue City, Viet Nam

Business Representative

Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee
Chairman
MFC Asset Management Plc.
Bangkok, Thailand

Development Partner Representatives

New Zealand Aid Programme
Mr. Matthew Allen
First Secretary (Development)
Representative of New Zealand Aid Programme to
Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand                                                                                        New Zealand Embassy                                                                                                        Bangkok, Thailand
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Mr. Winfried Wicklein
Director General
Southeast Asia Department (SERD)
Asian Development Bank
Metro Manila, Philippines

MEKONG INSTITUTE (NON-VOTING MEMBER)

Mekong Institute
Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn
Executive Director
Mekong Institute
Khon Kaen, Thailand

 

 

The Steering Committee's primary function is to provide guidance on policy, strategy and funding, appraise  the performance of the institute and its management staff, and submit recommendations to the Council. The Steering Committee reports its activities and deliberations to the Council for acknowledgement and consideration.

Chairman

Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee
Chairman
MFC Asset Management Plc.
Bangkok, Thailand

Country Representatives

Cambodia

Mr. Hang Suviddya

Deputy Secretary General

General Secretariat for Population and Development

Ministry of Planning

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

P.R. China

Mr. Ke Yousheng 
Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of China to UNESCAP
Embassy of P. R. China
Bangkok, Thailand

Lao PDR

Mr. Khamphinh Philakone
Deputy Director General
Department of Economic Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Vientiane, Lao PDR

Myanmar

Dr. Aung Moe Chai
Director
Foreign Economic Relations Department
Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Thailand

Mrs. Arunee Hiam
Director
Development Promotion and Coordination Division
Thailand International Cooperation Agency
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok, Thailand

Viet Nam

Mr. Nguyen Viet Ha
Official
Foreign Economic Relations Department
Ministry of Planning and Investment
Hanoi, Vietnam

Mekong Institute (Non-Voting Member)

Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn 
Executive Director
Mekong Institute
Khon Kaen, Thailand

Led by the Executive Director, the main duties of MI Secretariat are to organize the specific activities for educational purposes through working with other reputable GMS and international institution, to supply technical and professional support for the  Council and Steering Committee, and to provide information to the GMS member countries on all areas of HRD for GMS development and co-operation.