Thailand and Australia discussed bilateral relations on exchange information on COVID-19 situation and vaccines, economic and social recoveries, investment in digital, energy, Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) and enhanced engagement in Mekong Sub-region include new initiatives for ACMECS in the courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary by H.E. Mr. Allan McKinnon, Australian Ambassador to Thailand.

On 27 January 2021, H.E. Mr. Allan McKinnon, Ambassador of Australia to Thailand paid a courtesy call to H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Both sides welcomed the long-standing relations between Thailand and Australia and the elevation of relations to a Strategic Partnership as announced by the two Prime Ministers in November 2020. Under the Strategic Partnership, the two sides pledged to foster stronger collaboration as well as work together to develop the Joint Plan of Action focusing on sectors such as health, digital economy and security to support post COVID-19 recovery.

Ambassador McKinnon and the Permanent Secretary also exchanged views on the current COVID-19 situations in both countries. On the economic front, the Permanent Secretary encouraged the latter to expand investments in the fields that Australia has strength in such as digital economy, agriculture, alternative energy, which are consistent with Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG), currently Thailand’s national strategy for Post COVID-19 recovery. Both sides also exchanged views on regional strategic landscape as well as Australia’s proposals and funds which were announced to support development in ASEAN and the Mekong Sub-region. These include new initiatives for ACMECS in the areas such as quality infrastructure, water resource management and public health. In addition, they also reiterated the commitment to supporting each other’s role within the UN frameworks, which will assist both countries in responding to global challenges effectively and contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

On this occasion, Ambassador McKinnon also presented the Australia “Alumni of the Year” award (2020) to the Permanent Secretary.