On 14 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce, attended the 35^th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Lima, Peru. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Elmer Schialer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru and H.E. Ms. Desilú León, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru.

The 35^th AMM was a success and Thailand joined APEC Ministers in expressing visions in 3 following areas:

(1) On innovation and digitalization to promote transition to the formal and global economy, Thailand places high importance on enhancing digital connectivity, to ensure broadest access to financial products and services, particularly MSMEs, women, aged group, and those with untapped economic potential, as well as strengthening structural reform to increase formal workers and prepare for the silver economy;

(2) On sustainable growth for a resilient development, Thailand reaffirms our commitment in advancing APEC’s sustainability agenda through the implementation of the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy; supporting smart agriculture with a view to enhancing food security; supporting sustainable and balanced green transition to achieve clean energy targets, and encouraging MSMEs to adopt sustainable and responsible business conduct;

(3) On trade and investment for an inclusive and interconnected growth, Thailand recognises the important role of APEC as incubator to support a WTO-based multilateral system. Thailand also supports developing the FTAAP agenda highlighting cooperation in digital economy, environmental sustainability and economic empowerment of women and vulnerable groups, among others.

On this occasion, the 2^nd APEC BCG Award was announced. Two Thai representatives were named the winners of the said Award, namely Mrs. Passawee Tapasanan Kodaka (women category), founder and Creative Director of Folk Charm, an ethical and sustainable fashion brand that generated incomes to women artisans in Loei Province and Nippan Intercrop (MSMEs category), an enterprise from Nan Province that transformed once-waste corn cobs into environmentally friendly products including animal bedding, a nutritious addition to animal feed. Meanwhile, the winner of the youth category is the developer of Surplus App from Indonesia, which aims to reduce food loss.