On 18 January 2024, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended an Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) Roundtable on Preventing Economic Fracture on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2024.

IGWEL is one of signature programs of the WEF Annual Meeting, bringing together world leaders and high-level policy makers from governments, international organisations, private sector, academia and civil society, to discuss closely and frankly on important global issues. The IGWEL on Preventing Economic Fracture was chaired by Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, focusing on finding way forward for cooperation in a fragile, uncertain and fragmented global economy, resulting from ongoing conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions, to restore trust and promote inclusive growth.

During the session, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s confidence in the rules-based multilateral trading system, while emphasizing that strengthening global markets and resilient supply chains would be key to achieving sustainable growth.  Top priority for the Thai Government is to enhance the country’s competitiveness and creating jobs and new opportunities for the Thai people. Key policies include accelerating negotiations of bilateral FTAs and Regional Trade Agreements to meet higher stands and sustainability goals, as well as promoting connectivity both physical connectivity through the Landbridge project and digital connectivity to prepare Thailand ready for the digital era.