Statement by
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand at
the “BRICS Dialogue with Developing Countries” during
the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations Meeting
11 June 2024, 11.00-13.30 hrs.,
Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation

Your Excellency Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation,
Distinguished Ministers and Heads of Delegations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I wish to thank Minister Lavrov for convening this important meeting. It comes during a time of fundamental transformation in today’s world, which has become increasingly multipolar in nature. Indeed, we are meeting amidst a multitude of geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges.
2. Against this backdrop, BRICS has emerged as a key driver of this transformation. Thailand shares the view that, in order to achieve the objectives that we all are seeking, this evolving world order must be underpinned by a strong commitment to multilateralism. It must also aim at realising a system of global governance that is truly inclusive and equitable.
3. That is why it is imperative that we redouble our efforts in redefining, reinventing, and restoring trust in the international system with developing countries as key players.
4. In this regard, I would like to commend the role of BRICS in echoing and upholding the interests of emerging and developing economies, while moving the global economy towards one that is more dynamic and inclusive.
5. For our part, Thailand values our collaboration with BRICS and has always participated in all high level BRICS meetings, whenever given the opportunity. Indeed, we seek to engage even more comprehensively within the BRICS framework in the future.
6. In this connection, it gives me great honour to announce Thailand’s earnest desire to become a member of BRICS at the earliest possibility.

Excellencies,

7. Thailand has a great deal to offer this dynamic grouping. Our long-standing positions on development, diplomacy and security issues are both consistent and complementary to cooperation within the BRICS framework.
8. On economic and development issues, Thailand is an enduring partner for shared prosperity. As an emerging foreign direct investor, Thailand has invested more than 70 billion US dollars in developing countries. What’s more, Thailand has been a provider of official development assistance for almost two decades, focusing on the promotion of home-grown and sustainable development to enhance human security. This is because we believe that collective progress and prosperity can only reinforce our own progress and prosperity.
9. Of course, economic development and security are mutually reinforcing and go hand-in-hand. That is why Thailand strives to foster an atmosphere conducive to increased cooperation and win-win scenarios in the region and beyond. Thailand’s active role in ASEAN is geared towards enhancing trust and providing a platform for all countries to engage constructively with each other.
10. To put it simply, Thailand is a bridge builder. Adopting an inclusive, proactive and multilateral approach in furthering shared interests is at the heart of what we do. It is the essence of our diplomacy. To this end, Thailand will make every effort to connect BRICS across regional, sub-regional and multilateral frameworks, namely ASEAN, BIMSTEC, the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the G77 and the UN.

Excellencies,

11. The challenges facing our world are real, and they are pressing. Yet, I believe that BRICS countries have great potential to rise to the occasion. Going forward, Thailand proposes that BRICS should increase collaboration with developing countries in the following areas:
12. We should enhance cooperation in food and energy security, drawing on the energy and food abundance many of us possess.
13. We should further increase our trade and investment by enhancing supply-chain connectivity and cross-border digital transactions and promoting the use of local currencies.
14. We should further step up South-South cooperation to complement North-South cooperation. In this regard, Thailand is prepared to initiate concrete technical cooperation with BRICS countries to exchange expertise and best practices, focusing on human security in four aspects; namely health, jobs, food, and environment and energy.

Excellencies,

15. To conclude, allow me to underscore my conviction that Thailand’s membership in BRICS will contribute to the development of this esteemed grouping.
16. I believe that the sooner the inclusion of potential new BRICS partners, the stronger the voice of BRICS on the world stage will be. I would highly appreciate your support of Thailand’s full membership, and hope that it could be announced at the upcoming BRICS Summit in October in Russia.
17. Thailand builds bridges, we connect and we cooperate across regions and platforms. As part of the BRICS family, I am certain that this is how Thailand can contribute in making BRICS more inclusive, more interconnected, and more impactful in shaping an emerging world order that is just, stable, and prosperous for all.

Thank you very much.

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