Empowering Nations Through Regional Cooperation

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Together, the strength of a whole is greater than that of its individual parts. Together, nations are empowered. This is the essence of regional cooperation.

Not long ago, 22 senior government officials from 6 countries, 7 staff members from Asian Development Bank (ADB), and 3 representatives of the private sector and civil society traveled together along a bumpy Mekong road. Like regional cooperation, the road was not always smooth. Together, they overcame the discomforts of this long journey. The ultimate goal was to experience firsthand the need for, and benefits of, regional cooperation on their individual nations.

Cooperation is a powerful instrument for dealing with regional issues. It enables nations to combine their strengths and optimize benefits from positive external influences. By the same token, regional cooperation enables nations to mitigate the adverse effects of negative externalities, such as crossborder pollution and the spread of infectious diseases. It also creates an environment where common services and development programs can be shared.

Nations work together. Nations grow together. This special theme chapter discusses this growth through cooperation.

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Empowering Nations Through Regional Cooperation

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