On 9 September 2020, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, participated in the ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting via video conference. H.E. Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, also participated in the Meeting.

The Meeting stressed the importance of promoting cooperation in response to COVID-19 and towards economic recovery. ASEAN appreciated Japan’s contribution of 1 million USD from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and also welcomed Japan’s support for the establishment of ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

Thailand, as the incoming Country Coordinator of ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations, expressed its support to synergise cooperation between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Thailand also proposed to refocus areas of cooperation under the AOIP by highlighting economic cooperation, particularly digital technology and connectivity, and human security, particularly public health. In addition, Thailand proposed that ASEAN and Japan work further on projects with the various ASEAN Centres in Thailand, namely the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) and the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI).