Thailand will host an ASEM symposium on “Inter-Regional Partnership for Sustainable Development” on 25-26 May 2017.

          During the 11^th ASEM Summit in Ulaanbaatar, Mogolia, on 15-16 July 2016, H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, announced Thailand’s initiative to host an ASEM symposium on sustainable development in 2017 to serve as a platform to exchange experiences between Asia and Europe in sustainable development. The symposium provides a good opportunity to present His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) as an alternative to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

          The symposium’s objective is to promote cooperation between Asia and Europe in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to Thai speakers, eight panelists from ASEM members, namely the EU, China, Germany, Vietnam, Finland, Japan, Switzerland and the Phillipines, have been invited to share their experiences in sustainable development field. The symposium has attracted more than 170 participants.

          The symposium on 25 May 2017 will be divided into two sessions. The morning session will focus on the role of ASEM in strengthening cooperation between Asia and Europe in the field of sustainable development. The afternoon session will focus on panelists’ experiences and opinions in approaches towards achieving the SDGs.

          On 26 May 2017, the participants will join an excursion to Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center. The excursion will provide participants to experience firsthand about the SEP as a guiding principle for Thailand to achieve the SDGs.