Cambodia–Laos–Vietnam Development Triangle Area

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

The Cambodia–Laos–Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA; Khmer: តំបន់ត្រីកោណអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ កម្ពុជា–ឡាវ–វៀតណាម; Vietnamese: Tam giác phát triển Việt Nam - Lào - Campuchia) is a growth triangle in the southern part of the Greater Mekong Subregion. The cooperation initiative was initiated in 1999 by the leaders of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and formalized in 2004.

It aims to strengthen trilateral cooperation, promote stability and security, reduce poverty and foster socio-economic growth and development of the border regions of the three countries through transportation infrastructure and the promotion of trade, as well as the prevention of natural resource and cross-border crimes.[1][2]

Currently, the CLV-DTA comprises 13 border provinces within the three countries of which four (Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kratié and Mondulkiri) are in Cambodia, four (Attapeu, Salavan, Sekong and Champasak) in Laos and five (Kon Tum, Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, Đăk Nông and Bình Phước) in Vietnam.[3]

Vietnamese businesses have taken the lead in making investments in the triangle area.[4] Since the inauguration of the CLV-DTA, Vietnamese investors have invested in 110 projects worth US$3.7 billion.[5]

The three countries hold a ministerial meeting at least annually and a prime ministerial meeting every two years.[6]

History

[edit]

On 20 October 1999, the three prime ministers Hun Sen (Cambodia), Sisavath Keobounphanh (Laos) and Phan Văn Khải (Vietnam) held the first unofficial summit in Vientiane and reached an agreement on building a "Development Triangle".[3]

After the third unofficial summit on 20–21 July 2004 in Siem Reap, the three prime ministers Hun Sen, Bounnhang Vorachit and Phan Văn Khải met at Vientiane and declared the establishment of the CLV-DTA. Originally, the development triangle covered 10 border provinces: Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri and Stung Treng of Cambodia, Attapeu, Salavan and Sekong of Laos and Đắk Lắk, Đăk Nông, Gia Lai and Kon Tum of Vietnam.[3]

At the fourth official summit in Da Lat on 4–5 December 2006, the three prime ministers decided to establish the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) for the CLV-DTA.[3]

At the fourth JCC meeting held in Đắk Lắk on 21–22 December 2009, the three countries agreed to include three more provinces: Kratié of Cambodia, Champasak of Laos and Bình Phước of Vietnam, adding up to a total of 13 border provinces.[3][7]

On 21 September 2024, the Cambodian government announced its withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area.[5] The decision is seen as a strategic move by the Cambodian government to address national concerns and counter narratives that have caused unrest.[6]

The 9th summit of the Cambodia–Laos–Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV 9) is slated to take place in Siem Reap on November 23 and 24, 2024.[4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Measures to strengthen ties in Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle". Asia News Network. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  2. ^ Chheng, Niem (21 August 2024). "Analysis: What Is the best way to resolve the CLV-DTA Dispute?". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Ishida, Masami (2012). Ishida, Masami (ed.). "Development of Five Triangle Areas in the Greater Mekong Subregion" (PDF). Five Triangle Areas in the Greater Mekong Subregion. BRC Research Report. 11. Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok Research Center, IDE-JETRO: 3–7. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia benefit from development triangle mechanism". bqp.vn. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b Rim, Sokvy (2024-11-11). "Courting China, balancing Vietnam: Cambodia exits Development Triangle Area". ThinkChina.
  6. ^ a b Torn, Vibol (23 September 2024). "Cambodia formally withdraws from CLV-DTA agreement". Khmer Times. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  7. ^ Sisovanna, Sau (2012). Ishida, Masami (ed.). "The Cambodia Development Triangle Area" (PDF). Five Triangle Areas in the Greater Mekong Subregion. BRC Research Report. 11. Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok Research Center, IDE-JETRO: 56. Retrieved 26 August 2024.