The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organize a meeting of Thai ambassadors and consul generals to the African region during 21-23 August 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the official visit of H.E. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Nigeria and South Africa.

Prior to this meeting, the Ministry has organized a meeting of Thai ambassadors and consul generals to the ASEAN region, Kunming, and Nanning during 14-15 July and co-hosted with the Ministry of Interior a meeting of the said group of ambassadors and consul generals and the governors from all over the country during 16-17 July in Bangkok. On 5 August 2013, a meeting of Thai ambassadors and consul generals to the Middle East was also organized in Bangkok.

This upcoming meeting is a part of the government’s proactive foreign policy towards Africa as seen in the official visit of H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister, to Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda earlier in July. During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs will give the government’s foreign policy direction to the ambassadors and consul generals. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for participants to review Thailand’s strategies to Africa in response to changes in the region as well as to consult on regional challenges and how to foster cooperation, especially in trade, investment and tourism, as well as development cooperation with countries in the Africa.