Prime Minister Prayut highlighted the need to enhance ASEAN-Japan cooperation in addressing and responding to common challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geo-political uncertainties, the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital transformation. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for Japan’s contribution to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund as well as the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

On 27 October 2021, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, participated in
the 24th ASEAN-Japan Summit via videoconference. As Thailand is the Country Coordinator for the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations, the Prime Minister delivered the ASEAN Common Statement,
in which he highlighted the strengthening of cooperation as follows: (1) public health to better prepare the region for future waves of infections and emerging diseases (2) conducive environment of trust and confidence in the region through practical cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) (3) economic integration, regional supply chain connectivity and resilience, (4) capacity-building for MSMEs, particularly in digital technology (5) regional connectivity (6) people-to-people ties, human resource development and managing aging societies, and (7) sustainable development through exploring possible cooperation on green growth strategies.

The Meeting also emphasised the importance of advancing and concretising the ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership, while supporting ASEAN centrality. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Meeting also agreed that ASEAN and Japan must cooperate in addressing the adverse impacts of COVID-19, including on public health, socio-economic development, and peoples’ quality of life, as well as promoting sustainable recovery and building up long-term resilience, including through cooperation under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.

As the year 2023 will mark the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to cooperate on preparation to make this milestone celebration a great success.