On 25 May 2018, Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Under-Secretary-General paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, on the occasion of Dr. Kanem’s first official visit to Thailand since assuming duty in October 2017.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its comprehensive work on population development as well as congratulated UNFPA on the establishment of UNFPA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, through an Exchange of Notes ceremony on 14 May 2018. The Minister also thanked UNFPA for its close collaboration with the Thai Government, especially through South – South and Triangular Cooperation such as in public health projects with Bhutan and Lao PDR.

 

Dr. Kanem thanked the Thai Government for support and cooperation for the past 47-years as well as congratulated Thailand on the continuous effort on population development which produced successful outcome, especially in health care, such as the elimination the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and      the significant reduction of maternal mortality. Thailand’s best practices should be shared among other developing countries.

 

Both sides discussed on how to enhance future cooperation, for example, under the framework of the 11th Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) between UNFPA and Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) for the year 2017 – 2021. They also exchanged views on challenges in population development, including Thailand’s transition to aging society, youth development and impact of Artificial Intelligence on society. Both sides agreed that all stakeholders must work closely together and create meaningful partnership. In addition, South – South and Triangular Cooperation, in areas where Thailand has experience and expertise, would be impactful in helping other developing countries.