On 30 June 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, attended the 46th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, to discuss and exchange views with his colleagues on ASEAN’s future direction as well as other important regional and international issues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong underscored the need to strengthen ASEAN cooperation in several key areas challenging the region and the well-being of its peoples, notably in the wake of the on-going haze problem affecting several ASEAN Member States.  He highlighted the need to develop a regional rapid response mechanism to deal more effectively with transboundary haze pollution, including conducting joint exercises and sharing of best practices.  In this regard, he expressed Thailand’s readiness to share its expertise in artificial rain creation to put out forest fires.  He also underscored the need for a more effective and accurate region-wide weather forecasting system, which could be achieved through partnership with various dialogue partners.  On food security, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister urged ASEAN members consider the effect of unpredictable weather patterns on food production and food security, which directly affect the peoples in the region.  He also urged ASEAN to explore possible cooperation on energy security with other regions facing similar challenges. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong argued that, for ASEAN to be relevant in this fast changing world, ASEAN should focus on enhancing coherence in the work of the three pillars, improving the efficiency of ASEAN’s mechanisms and work process, undertaking joint research activities, maintaining ASEAN unity and enhancing ASEAN centrality, continuing the outward-looking approach and reaching out to new potential partners, and raising ASEAN’s profile in the global community.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of ASEAN’s centrality in shaping the evolving regional architecture and initiating new areas of cooperation with ASEAN’s external relations.  He suggested that ASEAN examine the key strength of each dialogue partner and explore possible cooperation.  Members must also be more proactive in the ASEAN-led frameworks by participating actively and pushing forward new initiatives.  In addition, ASEAN needs to encourage major powers to engage with each other constructively and channel their strengths towards greater cooperation for the benefit of the region.  ASEAN must also maintain its solidarity and cohesiveness to make its voice heard, for example, on the South China Sea, ASEAN should work closely with China to build greater trust and cooperation by fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and moving forward on the development of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong invited his colleagues to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, which will be held in Hua Hin during 13- 14 August 2013, to brainstorm about developments within ASEAN and to coordinate positions before going to the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.