Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand held a function for the campaign of Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, candidate of Thailand for the position of Secretary-General of Asian–African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) for diplomatic corps and representatives of AALCO member states.

Dr. Kamaline Pinitpuvadol, candidate of Thailand for the position of Secretary-General of AALCO, set out his priorities and goals to make AALCO a robust and proactive organisation at the function hosted by H.E. Mr. Tana Weskosith, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 23 September 2020 in Bangkok. Among guests who attended the event were Ambassadors, CDAs, and Honorary Consuls of the AALCO member states.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary Tana emphasised the significance of international collaboration in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and underscored the important roles played by international law in providing a framework for international relations and cooperation as well as a building block for peace and rules-based international order. AALCO, as an international organisation for legal experts in Asia and Africa, can play an important role in developing international law as well as safeguarding multilateralism which is under constant threat.

Dr. Vilawan Mangklatanakul, Director-General of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department, shared her personal account of AALCO when she was Vice-Chair of the organisation during the 56th annual session of AALCO in Nairobi, Kenya. Thailand joined AALCO in 1961 and has since participated actively in the work of AALCO, including hosting the 8th and 26th annual sessions in Bangkok in 1966 and 1987, respectively. Emphasising on the unique role of AALCO in providing a forum for legal experts in Asia and Africa to meet annually, AALCO can take lead in the discussion on modern international law issues that are responsive to the current and emerging challenges, such as COVID-19 and cybersecurity.

As for the Thai candidate for AALCO Secretary-General, Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol outlined five issues as priorities in his “vision speech”, namely: (1) making AALCO more visible and proactive; (2) continuing the digitalisation of AALCO; (3) encouraging future generations of international lawyers who will take part in the formation and promotion of international norms in the future and increasing cooperation between AALCO and other organisations; (4) ensuring full participation of all member states of AALCO; and (5) promoting the understanding of differences in culture and legal systems among AALCO member states by strengthening collaboration and harmonisation of law. All this would pave the way towards a more robust and proactive organisation.

AALCO is an international organisation of 48 member states in Asia and Africa, founded in 1956 with the objectives of considering and deliberating on issues related to international law, as well as exchanging views on matters of common concern. The election of AALCO Secretary-General is expected to be held in November 2020. If elected, Dr. Kamalinne will be the first Thai lawyer to assume the position of AALCO Secretary-General.