Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign and Head of the Thai Delegation, will attend the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States at Apia, Independent State of Samoa on 1-4 September 2014,.

Since 1994, he International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has been convened every ten years at the summit level. In recognizing the United Nations International Year of the Small Island Developing States in 2014, the third SIDS conference in Apia will be held under the theme of “the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States through Genuine and Durable Partnerships”. The objective of the conference is for leaders and the international community and development partners to reaffirm their political commitment to address sustainable development challenges and multifaceted vulnerabilities resulting from economic, social and environmental factors faced by Small Island Developing States, currently consisting of 51 Member States. The outcome document of the meeting will also contribute as an input for the post-2015 development agenda.

Over the years, Thailand has steadily intensified partnership with developing countries including SIDS, particularly in building community resilience to natural disaster, improving productive capacities and increasing regional connectivity. Thailand will further reiterate its commitment to expand technical and academic cooperation with SIDS in the areas of tuna processing, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), local entrepreneurship stimulus programme (OTOP) and sustainable agriculture guided by His Majesty’s Sufficiency  Economy Philosophy.

The conference will also serve as an opportunity for Thailand to strengthen vibrant bilateral relations and review pending bilateral issues with SIDS.  In addition, Thailand seeks support from SIDs for its candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council between 2017 – 2018 as well as Thailand’s seats in the Human Rights Council between 2015-2017.