On 22 September 2016, H.E. Don Pramudwinai, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand attended the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers at the United Nations Headquarter in New York. During the meeting, the Minister delivered his statement reiterating importance which Thailand attaches to enhancing friendship and cooperation with the OIC, its members and the Islamic world. Recent endeavor in this regards includes hosting of a Symposium on Infer-faith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Multicultural Societies in January 2016, which H.E. Iyad Ameen Madani, the Secretary General of the OIC also attended. In a broader context, Thailand has a common cause with the OIC in promoting understanding between faiths, religions and civilisations, and fighting against sectarian divide. Furthermore, Thailand’s views on international issues are closely aligned with those of the OIC, such as on Palestine, Iraq and Syria.  

 

          On Palestine, Thailand supports the international efforts to achieve the two-State solution and, since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine in 2012, has been working on bilateral and trilateral cooperation to further enhance Palestine’s economic development and state-building capacities. The visit of H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine in February 2016 marked a milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries. During the conflict in Gaza in 2015, Thailand has responded to the UNRWA’s Emergency Flash Appeal for Gaza and contributed the rehabilitation efforts of Palestinian civilians in the affected area through the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. This year Thailand will co-host the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) with Japan in Thailand. 

 

          On Iraq and Syria, Thailand strongly condemns brutal and indiscriminate acts of violence against civilians against civilians in the name of religion committed by the Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. Thailand supports the international community to take concerted efforts to prevent further violence and has also made financial contributions to our Muslim friends in providing shelters for the Syrian refugees.  

 

          The Minister reassured the OIC members that all Muslims in Thailand enjoy the rights and freedom to practice Islam. It is also the Thai Government’s responsibility and commitment to protect the rights and freedom of Thai citizens of all faiths. Priority has been given to the promotion of peace and security, economic development and improvement of social condition for the people in certain areas of our southern provinces where a two-pronged approach is adopted; one aiming at promoting development and improvement of people’s livelihood and capacity and the other aiming at pursing the dialogue with those of differing opinions from the State. With these approach and mindset, no stone has been left unturned in the pursue of harmony and well-beings of the people in the area. 

 

          In his statement, the Minister also proposed that Thailand and the OIC should further expand their corroboration into potential fields including on sustainable agriculture, food security, particularly halal products, and on public health issues, especially on combatting the rise of non-communicable diseases (NDCs).  

 

          Thailand has become an observer to the OIC since 1998, and enjoyed a cordial and constructive relationship with the organization on various aspects ranging from economy, finance, education, science to culture.