On 6 February 2024, H.E. Mrs. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the 36^th ASEAN-Australia Forum in Melbourne, Australia. The Meeting was co-chaired by Australia and the Lao PDR, the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations. The meeting also included Timor-Leste as an observer.

The Meeting discussed how to further strengthen cooperation under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), as well as preparation for the Special Summit to Commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations scheduled to be held on 4 - 6 March 2024 in Melbourne. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary led the discussion on enhancing ASEAN-Australia cooperation in connectivity and sustainable development, focusing on sustainable infrastructure development, digital connectivity, regional supply chain resilience and efficiency, and people-to-people linkages. She also highlighted Thailand’s role as the ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation and encouraged Australia’s closer collaboration with relevant ASEAN centres, including the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD) in Bangkok. During exchanges of views on regional and international issues, the Deputy Permanent Secretary joined in expressing concern on the ongoing violence in the Middle-East, where Thai hostages are still being held in Gaza. Furthermore, she updated the Meeting on Thailand’s humanitarian initiative to scale up humanitarian assistance along the Thai-Myanmar border in support of ASEAN’s collective efforts in implementing the Five-Point Consensus. Thailand also expressed appreciation to Australia’s proactive role and contribution to various cooperation frameworks in the Mekong sub-region.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary also met with Ms. Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, to exchange views on promoting closer bilateral and region-wide cooperation, including on Thailand’s Landbridge Project, environment and clean energy, and creative industries.

The ASEAN-Australia Forum is the annual senior official-level meeting to review and discuss ways forward on long-standing relations between ASEAN and Australia. Australia became ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner in 1974.