On 30 May, 2015, General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, delivered the opening remarks at the Second Thailand-Pacific Island Countries Forum (TPIF) at the Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok. The Forum was attended by Heads of Government, Ministers, and Senior Officials from 9 Pacific Island countries, namely Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Experts from Thai government agencies, private sector, and universities joined the Forum as panelists and contributors. Representatives from the Australian Embassy, New Zealand Embassy, and other International Organization such as FAO, UNESCAP, WHO, and UNDP were present as observers. The Forum, held under the theme “Enhancing Thailand – Pacific Islands Partnership for Sustainability”, was chaired by Mr. Norachit Sinhaseni, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs commended the friendly relations and partnership between Thailand and Pacific Island Countries during his opening speech, especially in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, and development.  Furthermore, Thailand is keen to expand cooperation and share knowledge in the fields such as agriculture, biodiesel energy, fisheries, disaster management, and public health.

The discussion during the meeting divided into 3 following sessions:

1) Three-Year  TPIF Development Partnership Programme
Thailand announced the Three-Year TPIF Development Partnership Programme (2015-2017) as well as specified activities in 2015. The Hon. Baron Divavesi Waqa, President of the Republic of Nauru, and the Hon. Henry Puna, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, shared the Pacific Island Countries’ perspectives on development and also discussed the possibility in providing scholarships for studying and training for the youth of the Pacific Island Countries in Thailand.

2) Sustainable and Social Development
HRH Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, Crown Prince of Tonga, the Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, and Mr. Tiarite Kwong, the Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development of Kiribati, led the discussion on widening cooperation on the sustainable development and sufficient economy model, which covered various issues such as disaster management, climate change, and public health. For this year’s TPIF, the delegations had the opportunity to visit the Royal Project at Khao Hin Sorn in Chachoengsao province and the OTOP Fair at Muang Thong Thani to learn about community enterprise development.

3) Economic Cooperation
H.E. Maki Simelum, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Vanuatu, and H.E. Veali Vagi, Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to Thailand, led the discussion and proposed in possible cooperation on agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, and information technology. The meeting agreed that there are potentials of cooperation on trade and investment in such areas as abovementioned. The possible future knowledge-sharing and development projects were also purposed in areas of eco-tourism and sustainable fishery.

All heads of delegations from Pacific Island Countries expressed their appreciation to Thailand for hosting the 2nd TPIF and for the warm hospitality extended to all delegations attending the 2nd TPIF.