Photo: PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra//Thai Government House
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has outlined Thailand’s vision for advancing regional cooperation and promoting the "Asian Century" agenda as it prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in 2025.
The focus will be on fostering collaboration among member countries and utilizing platforms like "Sports Diplomacy" to bridge cultural differences and strengthen international relationships, according to the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT)
It said addressing the 3rd ACD Leaders’ Summit in Doha, Qatar, she emphasized the role of sports in promoting peace and cooperation. She praised Qatar for its successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and highlighted that sports can be a powerful tool for uniting nations.
Speaking to leaders from 35 member countries, the prime minister shared Thailand’s strategic priorities. These include leveraging the nation’s strengths in agriculture and food production to enhance trade networks and bolster the global food supply chain.
She noted that Thailand is investing significantly in land, rail, and water transport infrastructure, along with expanding airport capacities, to position itself as a gateway connecting East and West.
The prime minister urged ACD members to work together to create new trade routes that will stimulate economic growth and solidify Asia’s position as a global economic hub.
As the incoming Chair of the ACD in 2025, Thailand will focus on six key pillars of cooperation, which are Connectivity, Science and Technology, Education and Human Resources, Food, Water, and Energy Security, Culture and Tourism, and Sustainable Development.
