On 27 April 2018, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended Ministerial meetings while attending the 32nd ASEAN Summit in Singapore. These meetings were (1) the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), (2) the 17th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC), and (3) the 21st ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC).

 

During the AMM, the meeting discussed ways to strengthen the ASEAN Community, inter – ASEAN relations, and ASEAN centrality in the security structure of the region. The meeting further exchanged views on important issues of mutual interest such as developments in the South China Sea, the Rakhine State, and the Korean Peninsula, with particular focus on the meeting between the leaders of the Republic of Korea and the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea.

 

During the 17th APSC, Thailand emphasized the importance of ASEAN Centrality and supported a more rule – based and people – centered ASEAN that leaves nobody behind. Thailand also encouraged greater connectivity in ASEAN in various dimensions as well as sustainable development to strengthen the ASEAN community. Thailand has actively supported cooperation on border management and cybersecurity and acknowledged its readiness to establish an ASEAN - Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Center Thailand in June 2018.

 

During the 21st ACC, the meeting discussed preparations for the 32nd ASEAN Summit and followed up on the results of the 31st ASEAN Summit held on 13 November 2017 in Manila. The meeting also endorsed 3 outcome documents to be proposed during the 32nd ASEAN Summit, namely (1) the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN, (2) the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Cybersecurity Cooperation, and (3) ASEAN Smart Cities Network. Other important issues discussed included supporting Singapore’s vision for a resilient and innovative ASEAN, supporting the Smart Cities Network which coincides with Thailand 4.0 and building smart cities in Thailand, reporting Thailand’s work as ASEAN Coordinator for the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development especially on the establishment of an ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue, and reviewed progress on the construction of a new ASEAN Secretariat building in Jakarta which is expected to officially open in 2019.