In preparations for Thailand to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, through the Department of International Economic Affairs and Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, organised the 2nd APEC Focus Group via hybrid meeting, consisting of video conference in parallel with physical meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting discussed the theme and priorities for Thailand’s host year in 2022. It was moderated by Dr. Anuson Chinvanno, Director of the International Studies Centre (ISC), Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, and attended by Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of government agencies, private sector, members of the public and APEC Focus Group who are experts in various fields.

The meeting agreed that the year 2022 would be a post-COVID-19 era in which the world will regain its dynamism with widespread use of COVID-19 vaccination and economic recovery with digital technology playing a vital role in the economic system. At the same time, disparity between regional economic blocs may occur with the rising issue of digital technology accessibility.

Moreover, the meeting also agreed upon Thailand’s theme of APEC 2022 which includes the paradigm shift in the global economic system and the hopes of people in the APEC Community - looking forward to a regional cooperation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The meeting also agreed that Thailand should drive three priorities during its APEC host year, namely, (1) facilitating trade and investment in a conducive ecosystem utilising appropriate economic tools, (2) rebooting regional connectivity, particularly in the travel and tourism industry, and (3) advancing sustainable and inclusive growth, focusing on alleviating inequalities and protecting the environment. Digital technology and innovation will be key tools for driving and realising these priorities.

The output of both APEC Focus Group's brainstormings will be shared and discussed during the next 2022 APEC National Committee Meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand on 18 January 2021.

Thailand will officially announce the theme and priorities as host of APEC in 2022 after the handover from New Zealand as host of APEC in 2021. during the APEC Leaders’ Meeting week in November this year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work closely with stakeholders and relevant government agencies to formulate priorities for APEC 2022 and translate them into concrete deliverables to benefit the people.