Organizer: Stimson Center
Type/Location: Virtual
Description:
Join the Stimson Center for a discussion on the opportunities for collaboration under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership on supporting digital economy growth.
In 2020, the Lower Mekong Initiative was upgraded and expanded to the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP). The MUSP Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue series is a flagship initiative of the Partnership and includes eleven virtual and in-person dialogues from 2021 to 2025, focusing on key policy and sustainability challenges facing Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This event will launch the summary report to share takeaways and policy recommendations from the 11th Policy Dialogue, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand in August 2025 as a deep-dive on needs and opportunities related to trade facilitation, data governance, information and communications technology infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, and training a digital workforce.
About the Speakers:
Rachel Coleman, Government Affairs & Public Policy Lead for Platforms & Devices, Google
Rachel Coleman is a global business strategy and policy leader with over 12 years of experience specializing in technology & finance policy and investments. She has held key roles at Google, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, driving programs and policy decisions on a global scale.
Rachel holds an M.A. in International Trade and Investment Policy from George Washington University and a B.A. in International Economic Policy and French from American University.
Mario Masaya, Vice President of Research, Technology and Financial Services, US-ASEAN Business Council
Mario Masaya is currently serving the Council as Vice President of Research, Technology and Financial Services based in the Washington DC office. He oversees the Council’s ICT, Financial Services, and ASEAN Committees.
Mario holds a bachelor’s degree from Parahyangan University in Indonesia, and a master’s degree from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He lived in Beijing and studied at the Beijing Language and Culture University. Mario is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Thao Griffiths, Director of Public Policy for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, Meta
Thao Griffiths has been actively involved in strengthening and deepening U.S.-Vietnam relations for more than 20 years.
Based in Singapore, Thao currently serves as Director of Public Policy for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, & Vietnam at Meta, dealing with some of the most interesting public policy challenges of our times including privacy, safety, and freedom of expression on the Internet and on Meta platforms. Concurrent with her full-time work at Meta, Thao serves as a Commissioner of the International Commission on Missing Persons, an intergovernmental organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons.
Phonesavanh Sitthideth, Deputy Director General, Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences
Phonesavanh Sittideth is the Deputy Director General of the Institute for Enterprise Development Research, Lao Academy for Social and Economic Sciences (LASES). Their current responsibilities include supervising a division that conducts research on enterprise development strategies to foster an atmosphere and circumstances that are suitable for effective business operations.
Courtney Weatherby, Southeast Asia Deputy Director, Stimson Center (Moderator)
Courtney Weatherby is a Deputy Director of the Stimson Center’s Southeast Asia Program and a Research Analyst with the Energy, Water, & Sustainability program. Her research focuses on sustainable infrastructure and energy development challenges in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, particularly at the nexus of issues in food, water, and energy in the Greater Mekong Subregion. She provides support to the development and management of the Mekong Dam Monitor.
Registration:
To attend the event virtually, please register here.