Statement by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

14^th Meeting of the Council of Ministers

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

9 October 2014

Perth, Australia

Madame Chairperson,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,                                                     

I wish to thank Madame Chairperson and the Government of Australia for the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality extended to my delegation.             I also wish to commend Australia for her outstanding leadership over the past year.

Excellencies,

We are only moments away from adopting a new IORA Charter.

A revitalized IORA is here.  We need to build on this momentum.

IORA can play a key role in enhancing maritime security and commerce within the Indian Ocean, as well as with the Pacific.

First, we need to bolster maritime safety and security. 

The incident of MH370 is a wake up call for IORA. It prompted us to identify a region-wide mechanism that can enhance our search and rescue cooperation to respond better to future tragedies.  For this reason, we thank Australia for coming up with the Memorandum of Understanding on Search and Rescue Services in the Indian Ocean Region, which we hope to sign pending completion of internal procedures. 

Thailand can contribute to this effort.  We have facilities that can support rapid deployment in response to an HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) emergency.  We can also share our experience, having participated in and organized many HADR exercises – both bilaterally and multilaterally.   

Security at sea also means safety from piracy and other transnational crimes.

Thailand is an active player in this field.  We take part in the ASEAN Maritime Forum, ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia), IMO (International Maritime Organization), the Malacca Straits Coordinated Patrols, the Eyes in the Sky air patrol and the Combat Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.

Work on maritime safety and security requires strengthened cooperation and coordinated response.  It is therefore important that IORA establish partnerships with other security forums such as the ASEAN Maritime Forum and ReCAAP for exchange of information and joint capacity building.  

Second, we need to enhance connectivity to increase our intra-trade activities.

To do so, logistics costs need to be reduced and trade and transport infrastructure be improved.

We need to promote port development and port-to-port connectivity, including dry ports.  Thailand is improving our port infrastructure on the west coast, including Ranong Port to extend our short sea shipping services to Yangon Port in Myanmar.  We also plan to develop Pakbara Port which will be a new regional maritime gateway connecting the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean via Songkhla Port. We are also working closely with Myanmar to develop the Dawei Deep Seaport which will serve as a dynamic route in the global supply chain linking the economic corridor from East Asia to Southeast Asia to South Asia and beyond.

 Cost effective facilities are also needed to meet a rising demand for multimodal transport.  In this regard, IORA may explore ASEAN’s work on integrated and seamless multimodal transport as a model for IORA’s maritime connectivity.

Greater business mobility should also be promoted.  A business travel card is a viable option that should be seriously pursued. 

Third, science and technology need further support – both technically and financially.  Attention should be given to issues that have major impacts on the lives of our people, such as healthcare and medicine.

It is against this background that Thailand has invested in and promoted R&D on emerging infectious diseases.  We have recently discovered an antibody for treatment of Ebola virus infection, and are now working with the World Health Organization to develop this prototype. 

Within IORA, Thailand promoted the use and development of complementary and alternative medicine.  A workshop was organized in Bangkok in July to exchange know-how and facilitate the commercialization of this traditional knowledge.  Following the success of the Workshop, a business forum is now in the pipeline.

Member States that share our aspiration to improve Universal Health Coverage through alternative medicines are invited to join this effort.

Excellencies,

These are some of the challenges that IORA needs to address in order to leave its mark on the world stage.

In Thailand, we also have challenges of our own. The country is undergoing comprehensive reforms to move towards a full and sustainable democracy, and inclusive national development in all aspects.

We are making great strides on a path to fulfilling our Roadmap as planned and are now on the 2^nd phase of the Roadmap to return the country to a full-fledged democracy.    

Progress has also been made on the economic front to stimulate economic performance and ensure longer term competitiveness.  To do so, all sectors are urged to work cohesively to build a positive atmosphere and regain the confidence of the international community.  

We are pleased that our international partners have shown their continued interest to engage in economic activities with Thailand.  We also appreciate our friends’ understanding and support for our reform efforts and continued progress on the Roadmap. 

On behalf of the Government and the people of Thailand, I thank all of you for standing with us.  Your encouragement and support during this challenging period are highly valued, and so is the friendship that we share and will cherish.

Thank you for your kind attention.