On 24 August 2023, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted the 8th TICA Connect event themed "Enhancing International Development Cooperation for Sustainable Future” at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with H.E. Mr. Sarun Chareonsuwan, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, presiding over the opening ceremony, and more than 500 participants from the diplomatic corps and international organizations based in Bangkok, academia, university students, awardees of TICA scholarships and the media, attending the event.

The 8th TICA Connect event aimed at strengthening Thailand’s networks and partnerships for sustainable development; to promote the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) as an alternative pathway to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - or SEP for SDGs; and to enhance cooperation with its development partners in Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model.  It was also a showcase for best practices in development cooperation by TICA and development partners. In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs stressed that international development cooperation, propelled by collective leadership and strong multi-stakeholder partnerships, was a powerful tool in assisting countries to realise SDGs. He also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to this global vision and pursued a development pathway guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and complemented by Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model to meet the SDGs.

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, joined as guest speaker of the special lecture “Linking Forward to Leave No One Behind.” He urged the global community to address current global challenges to the SDGs, including impacts of COVID-19, climate change and geopolitical conflicts, by suggesting three critical game changers: (1) Dealing with the absolute necessities,like food security and better health for all, to strengthen a foundation to end poverty; (2) Addressing global financing issues, including the reform of international financial architecture; and (3) Promoting greater gender equality and empowering vulnerable groups, especially children and the elderly.

The event also featured a panel discussion on “Enhancing International Development Cooperation for Sustainable Future: Working Together to Promote SDG 13 and SDG 17” where panelists from TICA, AFD, GIZ, JICA, KOICA, USAID and the Australian Embassy in Bangkok exchanged views on how TICA and its development partners could collaborate to accelerate climate action in Thailand and the Mekong sub-region. It was followed by TICA Talk on “Sharing Experiences on Dissemination of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy through Development Cooperation Projects.” The speakers who were involved in different SEP-based projects in Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos shared their experiences, challenges and success stories. During the session, a handbook on the application of SEP in international development projects was also introduced on TICA website.      

In addition, to put a spotlight on a successful example of the Public-Private Partnership for People (PPPP) for sustainable development model, Mrs. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, awarded an honorary pin and a certificate of appreciation to Bangchak Corporation in recognition of the company’s contribution to the great success of the project "From Thep Sadet Drip Coffee to Inthanin Coffee". This collaborative effort was built on the TICA-JICA Project on Post-Harvest Management and Community-Based Development for Local Products (Arabica Coffee Project). Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Director-General of TICA, commented that this example of the PPPP model could be applied to other community products with private entities to foster future sustainability.