Dangerous goods or hazardous materials are one of the important contributors for the economic development and industrialization in the Mekong region. When they are traded and transported, it is important to protect the life and the health of people and of the environment. All governments in the Mekong region have signed the regional agreements on CBTA Annex 1 and ASEAN Protocol 9 to ensure the efficiency and safety of Dangerous Goods Transport. This will drive trade and transport within and between countries in the region.  All neighboring countries remove trade barriers and enter into agreements in order to upgrade their cooperation through common institutions and rules.

In Bangkok, Thai Department of Land Transport and GIZ, through EU funded project on Green Freight organised a Regional Workshop on Dangerous Goods Transport on 26-27 July 2017. It was attended by 35 participants from freight associations and related companies from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand.

The workshop aimed at establishing cooperation amongst participating countries to move on improving rules and regulations of the Dangerous Goods Transport. The sessions included learning of the implementation of European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) from European countries as well as Thailand as it has been adapting ADR since the end of 2015. The Thai government and private sector shared a valuable experience including challenges and best practices. There was also a discussion on Gap Analysis of Dangerous Goods Transport as well as potential measures.