The Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted APEC 5.0 Professionals & Brainstorming Session to discuss key agendas for Thailand’s APEC host year. Attendees included professionals from various fields who highlighted benefits to people in the fields of food security, well-being, sustainable development, technological development, trade and investment, and climate change.

On 2 November 2020, the Department of International Economic Affairs hosted the 1st APEC 5.0 Professionals and the APEC Brainstorming Session at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Surawongse. The events provided a platform to engage professionals from various fields in identifying key agendas Thailand may wish to push forward in 2022 to bring tangible benefits to all in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC 5.0 Professionals comprise of 15 leading academics, businessmen, thinkers and social advocates. APEC 5.0 Professionals then joined members of the APEC Focus Group (AFG) and representatives from government sectors in the APEC Brainstorming Session. The discussions were moderated by Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, and Dr. Anuson Chinvanno, Director of the International Studies Centre (ISC) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and AFG Chair.

Participants suggested that Thailand can focus on how to drive the global economy while keeping the balance between economic benefits and social dimensions, to ensure resiliency from shocks and disruptions, as well as to channel growth and prosperity to all segments of the economy and society. Potential areas of cooperation include food and agricultural security, well-being, and sustainable growth, which harnesses indigenous knowledge along with technological development.