On 12 November 2017, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, led a Thai delegation to attend the 16th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting and the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines.

 

The APSC meeting discussed recent developments of the sectoral bodies under the APSC as well as progress on the implementation of the APSC Blueprint 2025, where approximately 80 percent of progress has already been made in the area of defense, maritime security, counter terrorism, transnational crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister discussed topics that Thailand places importance on including (1) ASEAN Centrality, (2) promoting stronger ties between ASEAN and its growing number of Dialogue Partners and, (3) promoting cooperation on border management and cybersecurity in ASEAN by encouraging the establishment of an ASEAN Cybersecurity Centre. The meeting also discussed issues of regional security including providing humanitarian assistance to those affected in Rakhine State, preventive measures to stop radicalism and terrorism, and confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy in ASEAN.

 

The ACC meeting discussed the final preparations for the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and noted the reports that will be proposed during the meetings such as the Report of the Secretary-General of ASEAN on the Work of ASEAN to the 31st ASEAN Summit, the Report of the Secretary-General of ASEAN on the Functions and Operations of the ASEAN Secretariat to the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, the Report of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) to the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, the Report of the Chair of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force to the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, and the Report of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) to the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting. Furthermore, the meeting agreed upon the appointment of a Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community and Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political Security Community. Thailand also reported on its progress as ASEAN’s Coordinator in promoting the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially the presentation of the draft Report on Complementaries between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: A Framework for Action. The report is drafted by Thailand, the ASEAN Secretariat, and UNESCAP and will be presented at the 9th ASEAN – UN Summit on 13 November 2017. Moreover, as ASEAN Coordinator for the EU, Thailand will host the ASEAN – EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development on 17 November 2017 which will be the first time that ASEAN and EU will discuss cooperation in this area.

 

The APSC and the ACC are part of a series of important ASEAN meetings in preparation for the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. The topics discussed will help determine the relationship between the ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners as well as other important countries. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.) will attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on 13 – 14 November 2017.