Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on 12 September 2020 and highlighted the security situation in the context of increasing tensions between major powers and COVID-19 which regional and international cooperation is required to create resilience and adaptability. On this occasion, Thailand suggested having a consultative mechanism under the ARF to provide space for external powers with conflicting interests to turn conflicts into cooperation.


The Meeting exchanged views on regional and international issues and adopted the following outcome documents: 1) ARF Ha Noi Plan of Action II (2020-2025), which outlines activities aimed at promoting Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy and strengthening the ARF during 2020-2025, 2) ARF Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Prevent and Respond to Infectious Disease Outbreaks, 3) ARF Statement on Cooperation in the Field of Security of and in the Use of ICTs in the Context of Developing Digital Economy and 4) ARF Statement on the Treatment of Children Recruited by or Associated with Terrorist Groups. For the inter-sessional year 2020-2021, Thailand will co-host with ARF Participants ARF workshops and trainings on WPS agenda, marine debris management, ferry safety, and urban search and rescue. In addition, the Meeting took note of the Guide to ARF Processes, Procedures, Practices and Protocol, which standardises and streamlines existing ARF-related practices and processes.