H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, led the Thai delegation to participate in the inaugural Bali Process Government and Business Forum during 24 - 25 August 2017 held in Perth, Australia. The Forum was co-chaired by Honourable Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia and H.E. Mrs. Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia together with the business co-chairs Mr. Andrew Forrest, founder of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and Walk Free Foundation, and Mr. Eddy Sariaatmadja, founder of Elang Mahkota Teknolog (EMTEK). The Forum was attended by representatives from 29 Bali Process Member Countries including 23 government leaders, 18 business leaders, and representatives from 3 international organizations, namely, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Dr. Darian McBain, Group Director for Sustainable Development from Thai Union Group, represented the Thai business sector.

                  The Forum was the first of its kind in the region to bring together government and business leaders to discuss and consider ways to prevent and combat human trafficking throughout the whole supply chain. The key essence of the Forum lied in the recognition that no one individual, business or government can end human trafficking alone and therefore a strong public-private partnership is critical for enduring success. Moreover, the inaugural Forum was a strong call on the business leaders to be vigilant in promoting and implementing humane and non-abusive labor practices, ethical recruitment, and safeguards and redress mechanisms for victims, workers and whistle-blowers in the fight against human trafficking in all forms.

                 During his intervention at the plenary session of the Forum, the Foreign Minister highlighted Thailand’s public-private partnership in combating human trafficking through 5 central pillars or the 5P mechanism, namely, Policy, Prosecution, Protection, Prevention and Partnership.

                 The outcome of the Forum included a Co-Chairs’ Summary and a 12-month Work Plan for the business sector, the findings of which will be presented at the next Bali Process Government and Business Forum and the 7^th Bali Process Ministerial Conference to be held in Bali, Indonesia in 2018.

                Apart from the Forum, the Foreign Minister also attended the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Alumni Ambassadors Breakfast, an initiative of the Honourable Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, which aims to enhance knowledge about the Indo-Pacific in Australia. The Plan encourages and supports Australian undergraduate students in expanding their horizons and understanding about the region through overseas internships and study. Thailand joined the NCP in 2015, and Thailand will welcome 937 Australian undergraduates under the NCP program during 2015 to 2019.