The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, together with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will co – host the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum 2017 on Thursday, 24 August 2017 at Anantara Siam Bangkok.

                 This year, the Forum will discuss policy options as a response to the opportunities and challenges occurred from the ongoing digital transformation in the Southeast Asia which is intertwined with all key dimensions of the fast – growing ASEAN. ASEAN countries must, therefore, forge coherent policy approaches that enable their economies to capitalize on the increasingly digital – driven regional economy.

                 The Forum will begin with the opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Veerasak Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD.  A Keynote address will also be given by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Secretary General of ASEAN.

                Moreover, on the occasion of his visit to Thailand during 23 – 25 August 2017, Mr. Gurría is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to H.E. General Prayut
Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand and H.E. Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as to hold bilateral meetings with Ministers of Thai authorities. Mr. Gurría will also be participating in the launching activities of the Thailand – OECD cooperation programmes which are based on whole of-government approach aiming to bring Thailand closer to the OECD, and reflecting greater confidence in the country’s potentials and continuous efforts in undertaking comprehensive reforms. Cooperation programmes between the OECD and Thailand will also provide a platform for Thai authorities to access to OECD’s expertise and best practices that are of Thailand’s interests so that it will further support Thailand’s reform agenda and improve the country’s competitiveness and well – being.

                The OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum is an annual meeting initiated by the OECD in 2015 as it views that ASEAN is becoming the driving force of the world Economy.  It is aimed to be a platform for the member of the OECD and ASEAN to discuss cooperation, sharing experience and best practices.  Participants of the Forum include high-level representatives from the public sector, business community, scholar as well as civil society of the OECD and ASEAN countries.