On 24 August 2016, H.E. Mr. Chaisiri Anamarn, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the first TICA Connect, which is the latest platform for exchanging and sharing knowledge on development diplomacy for the first time.

          The Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs gave an opening remark emphasizing the Royal Thai Government's strong commitment towards sustainable development by working in partnership with all stakeholders. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, Thailand is therefore keen on pushing the global agenda into action through both South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

          The event was initiated by Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) with an aim to promote Thailand's international cooperation with other countries, to strengthen the partnership between TICA and its partners and stakeholders, and to be a platform for exchanging and sharing knowledge, experiences, as well as best practices on international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hence, TICA is the key agency for promoting sustainable development cooperation in areas of Thailand expertise such as agriculture, education and public health, and human resource development in bilateral and multilateral levels with partners all around the world.

          Moreover, the first TICA Connect also launched the new logo of TICA, which represents the collaboration with all stakeholders, and invited “TICA Superstars” including Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Khunying Dr. Porntip Rojanasunand, as well as Thai volunteer in Bhutan and the Royal Thai Government scholarship’s candidates from Vietnam and Senegal, to share their views and experiences in terms of international development cooperation.