Prime Minister Prayut delivered his statement at the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit, expressing encouragement to a true friend like Japan to overcome the COVID-19 crisis together and supporting cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for greater security, prosperity and sustainability. He also extended his appreciation to Japan for the support on the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases, COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, and Japan’s three pillars assistance to ASEAN.

On 12 November 2020, at 14.45 hrs. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered his statement at the the 23rd ASEAN- Japan Summit via videoconference. Prime Minister Prayut congratulated Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on the assumption of office as Japan’s 99th Prime Minister, and expressed to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan best wishes on the auspicious occasion of the proclamation ceremony last Sunday.

Amidst of the COVID-19 challenges, Prime Minister Prayut encouraged ASEAN and Japan to join hands to overcome this crisis and address all challenges together. As the incoming Country Coordinator of ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations starting mid-2021, Thailand sees the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to advance ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership for greater security, prosperity and sustainability in the region. The Prime Minister expressed his support on Japan’s proposal to promote practical cooperation on the AOIP and jointly adopted the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. He also proposed to refocus ASEAN-Japan’s goals and areas of cooperation under strategic partnership in corresponding with the current global contexts in three areas as follows:

(1) For a “secure region”, he supported the creation of a more closely interconnected region and enhanced cooperation based on shared principles such as ASEAN Centrality, openness, transparency, a rule-based framework and the 3M principles, namely mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

(2) For a “prosperous economy”, he expressed his support on economic integration and regional supply chain connectivity as well as the focus on investment and development of quality infrastructure. Prime Minister Prayut pointed out that Thailand continues to welcome Japanese investors and business people, while standing ready to discuss on arrangements to facilitate safe international travels in accordance with public health protocols. Thailand also attaches great importance to MSMEs, start-ups and local entrepreneurs to ensure their access to appropriate financing facility and equip them with necessary skills for the 4IR.

(3) For a “sustainable society”, Prime Minister Prayut reiterated the concept of sustainability in all dimensions and looked forward to expanding cooperation on this matter. He urged for the need to promote public health cooperation by supporting the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases. Thailand is also ready to share best practices to ASEAN Member States and Japan on public health emergencies response through village-level public health volunteers and development of Universal Health Coverage. He also supported cooperation on human resource development in various dimensions and encouraged the use of various ASEAN Centres in Thailand.

The Meeting also adopted the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and launched the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies, and Emerging Diseases.