On 11 June 2013, Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Professor Dr. Somkit Lertpaithoon, Rector of Thammasat University, signed the Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Academic Cooperation between the Department of International Economic Affairs and the International Cooperation Study Centre (ICSC) at Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus).

The MoA aims to promote academic cooperation through joint activities including research projects, training programmes, international conferences or seminars, particularly those related to the work of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). Thailand is one of the founding members of both forums whose members are key drivers of the global economic growth. Furthermore, the ICSC will serve as an academic support unit for Thailand in both forums by providing in-depth information and analyses that contribute to shaping government policies and position. ICSC will also support the preparation for hosting 2nd ACD Summit in 2015 and assuming the chairmanship of APEC in 2022.

The ICSC was originally established in 1996 as the Thai APEC Study Centre (TASC) following the endorsement of APEC Leaders on APEC Leaders’ Education Initiative in Seattle in 1993. The TASC was later restructured and changed its name to the ICSC with three study centres under its administration, namely the Thai APEC Study Center (TASC), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Study Centre (ACD Study Centre) and the Centre for International Studies (CIS).

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