On 17 February 2022, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) via videoconference.

In the first Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, Cambodia gave a comprehensive briefing on its priorities under the theme “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together”, focusing on the spirit of ASEAN togetherness and enhancing cooperation in addressing future challenges affecting the region and its people.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their support for Cambodia’s Chairmanship and reiterated their commitment to following up outcomes of last October’s 38th and 39th Summits, including the COVID-19 responses, economic recovery, ASEAN Community-building efforts through the development of ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, as well as promoting ASEAN’s External Relations.

The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international situations and issues of common concern. In this regard, DPM/FM Don rallied ASEAN to be more assertive in calling for major powers, who all are ASEAN Dialogue Partners, to restrain their competition from creating more global tensions. This could be achieved through building trust and constructive engagement towards sustainable peace, stability and prosperity of the region. He also called for strengthening of the bloc’s solidarity to maintain ASEAN unity, cohesiveness, relevance and leadership in this time of strategic and security challenges.

The meeting also expressed full support for Cambodia and H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, in facilitating the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus agreed by ASEAN Leaders on 24 April 2021.

During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister also updated the meeting on Thailand’s undertakings as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation and encouraged ASEAN to expedite the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals through cooperation in Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model as well as expressed views on how to promote ASEAN’s constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the situation in Myanmar.