Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised the importance of ASEAN Plus Three (APT) framework to address future regional challenges, including COVID-19 response, economic recovery, human resources development in the 4th Industrial Revolution and early entry into force of RCEP, connectivity, and BCG Economy Model, in the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

On 3 August 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via videoconference. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Foreign Minister of Brunei Darussalam, and also attended by Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States and the Plus Three countries, namely China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The Meeting stressed the importance of the APT in driving forward regional cooperation, especially in tackling common challenges and crises in the region. The Meeting discussed ways to enhance the APT cooperation on COVID-19 response and vaccine cooperation as well as to strengthen regional capacities and preparedness for future crises and public health emergencies.

The Meeting emphasised the APT cooperation on the post-pandemic economic recovery, through strengthening regional integration and supply chain, as well as on human capital development and digital economy, especially in providing assistance in these areas to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Meeting also underlined the need for the early entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

ASEAN and the Plus Three countries also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments in the Korean Peninsula and situation in Myanmar.

At the Meeting, Thailand highlighted the need to further expand vaccine cooperation in terms of manufacturing, distribution and R&D, as well as the post-pandemic economic recovery through digital economy and future industries. Thailand reiterated its commitment to advancing the Connecting the Connectivities Initiative and also invited the Plus Three countries to engage in exploring regional cooperation on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model as an approach for promoting regional economic resilience and sustainability in all dimensions.

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