Statement by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand
representing the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
at the Leaders’ Meeting of the BRICS Member Countries
in the Outreach/BRICS Plus Format
under the theme “BRICS and Global South: Building a Better World together”
during 16^th BRICS Summit, 24 October 2024, Kazan, Russian Federation

Your Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Colleagues,

1. First of all, I wish to convey warmest regards from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on whose behalf I am attending today’s meeting.
2. We meet today at a critical juncture -- at a crossroads of many sorts. The world is fragmented and polarized. Geopolitical rivalries and heightened tensions are rife, forcing countries to take sides. And many have to contend with the undue consequences, often unfair and unjust, and not of their own making.
3. It is at this crucial crossroads, and amid this breakdown of trust and confidence among nations, that Thailand wishes to lend a strong voice for strengthening multilateralism, as we have always continued to do. Over the years, we have consistently championed our policy of seeking a win-win outcome over winner-takes-all. We have maintained a firm conviction in the merits of mutual gains over individual victories, which is part of our abiding belief in building bridges, rather than barriers to cooperation.
4. And it is in this light, that we see the critical importance of BRICS in taking front and center in the efforts to revive a spirit of cooperation based on mutual trust and respect. Through our collective leverage, both politically and financially, the members of BRICS can work together towards a revised global system -- one that takes into account the interests of all nations, large or small -- one that is just and equitable -- one that works for all, and not just for the most powerful.

Excellencies,

5. As an aspiring BRICS member country, Thailand hopes to join this august gathering in the future. We are confident we can contribute meaningfully to this important grouping and play a part in advancing our shared aspirations.
6. This capacity is demonstrated by our proven track record -- as a driver for regional cooperation, especially within the ASEAN and APEC frameworks, and as current Chair of BIMSTEC, the Bay of the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, as well as the incoming Chair of ACD, the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. Thailand has always worked to create synergies in promoting complementarities across different regional fora, aimed at championing the agendas of developing countries.
7. That is why we can be the link to make BRICS even more interconnected, and even more impactful. And together we can facilitate further constructive exchanges, to navigate these crossroads and intersections, in a world fraught with shared challenges.

Excellencies,

8. As we work towards a more just and equitable world, any conversation in that direction should include the necessity of revisiting the current state of the international financial architecture. More importantly, the necessity of attaining a “balanced” international financial architecture.
9. For at the end of the day, an international financial system that is more responsive to the needs of developing countries means greater social safety nets and crisis management mechanisms for our people – it means greater financial resilience for our businesses -- it means more sustainable economic growth for our nations. And it means greater peace and common prosperity for all.
10. Thailand believes that BRICS can be the voice of developing and emerging economies and serve as the force to shift the dynamics of financial governance in favor of all, and not just some. As a grouping that constitutes almost half of the world’s population and a quarter of the world’s GDP, as well as possessing considerable international trade and investment volume and capital stock--we can, and we should, mobilize our collective leverage to advocate for greater access and greater inclusion.
11. We, in Thailand, understand the importance and the necessity of these reforms all too well, stemming from our painful experience from the Asian Financial Crisis, which still resonates with us today. These hard-learnt lessons from almost three decades ago have taught us the crucial need for a functioning system to protect against and prevent future crises.
12. Thailand proposes that synergies be built across various international platforms to advance this reform agenda. As Chair of the ACD next year, we plan to organize high-level discussions on the financial architecture, and we look forward to the possibility of BRICS members participating in such discussions. It will be an opportunity for all to exchange ideas on how we can collectively promote a more inclusive financial system, with a view towards supporting the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain next year.

Excellencies,

Distinguished Colleagues,

13. As I mentioned earlier on the issue of geopolitical rivalries, I wish to take this opportunity to express Thailand’s deep concern with the escalation of violence and worsening humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. The issue has serious consequences on the world security and affects the civilian population as well as the economic activities of all of us. Thailand calls on all involved parties to immediately cease all acts of hostilities.
14. Thailand supports the continued efforts of all parties concerned to realise the Two-State solution in which the States of Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security, in accordance with the humanitarian and international laws and the relevant United Nations’ resolution.
15. In closing, as we move forward, let us be reminded of the unique and exceptional role that BRICS can play: As a force that transforms our common aspirations into common achievements. As a bridge that connects our diverse differences into shared strengths. And as a forum that promotes cooperation and consensus over competition and conflict.
16. Thank you.

********