On 16 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, to attend the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) chaired by H.E. Ms. Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, President of Peru, in Lima, Peru.

The 31st AELM was successful and had concluded with 3 main outcome documents including (1) the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration, (2) the Ichma Statement on a New Look to advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and (3) the Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economy.

During the Leaders’ Meetings, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to promoting multilateralism, as well as peace and common prosperity, while creating opportunities for all to ensure that no one is left behind. She also highlighted Thailand’s readiness to advance regional economic integration through the establishment of FTAAP and enhancement of connectivity in all dimensions, particularly the development of digital infrastructure and expansion of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme to elevate people-to-people contacts and facilitate mobility of digital nomads.

On the sustainability agenda, the Prime Minister encouraged APEC member economies to continue to implement the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy and proposed APEC to set ambitious targets for the green transition, as well as urged further discussions on the development of carbon credit markets and trade, while enhancing food security through the development of agricultural technology. In this respect, Thailand reiterated readiness to serve as a “bridge-builder” in strengthening cooperation on the said areas between APEC and other regional and global partners.