Opening remarks by
H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
at the Launch of Thailand’s OECD Accession Process,
30 October 2024, Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Excellency Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. On behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I welcome Your Excellency the Secretary-General of the OECD to Thailand and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the official launch of Thailand’s OECD accession process.
2. Your visit to Thailand and today’s event are historic in the relations between Thailand and the OECD, which has been mutually beneficial for more than forty-three years.
3. Indeed, Thailand first considered joining the OECD almost twenty years ago.
4. As the only country in the Indo-Pacific with a Country Programme with the OECD and a co-founder of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme, Thailand has been working closely with the OECD at the national and regional levels.
5. Thailand’s OECD accession is the next, natural step of this cooperation.
6. Many factors have taken us to where we are today. Thai Government’s determination and commitment are necessary. The tireless work of the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris under the leadership of Ambassador ศรัณย์ เจริญสุวรรณ is
   No less important is the invaluable support from Your Excellency and your team, which I truly appreciate.

Excellencies,

7. Thailand wants to join the OECD, because we see shared opportunities arising from strategic complementarities between Thailand and the OECD.
8. First, we want to uplift our ecosystem in various aspects. We want to make our business more competitive, our public sector more efficient and transparent, our economy more resilient and sustainable, and our growth more inclusive. Simply put, Thailand is ready to take steps in order to be fit for the future.
9. At the same time, OECD members need reliable partners. Thailand’s membership will enlarge the group of like-minded countries who share political and economic values and are ready to elevate cooperation in various dimensions to a higher level.
10. Second, we want to enhance our role in global policy-making. We are keen to contribute to peace, prosperity and progress in our region and beyond.
11. At the same time, the OECD is transforming itself into a more inclusive, global policy platform. Thailand as an emerging economy can contribute to this goal.
12. Last but not least, we want to use economic diplomacy also to strengthen our role as bridge-builder between all partners. Thailand’s active role in APEC, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Mekong sub-regional cooperation frameworks are testimony to this
13. At the same time, the OECD has been actively engaging Southeast Asia, thanks to the vision and the leadership of the Secretary-General. Thailand’s membership will provide an important representation of Southeast Asia and makes it more inclusive. We will promote synergies among many cooperation frameworks in which we take part, so as to advance common agendas for all.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

14. To conclude my remarks, I would like to reassure you that we will continue to intensify the close cooperation with the OECD and all members in order to achieve steady progress in the accession process.
15. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to enhance collaboration with the OECD and all member states to help accelerate the process. We will facilitate and encourage intensive conversations between the OECD and Thai stakeholders.
16. The participation of all relevant Thai agencies today is a clear evidence of our enthusiasm and interest for accession.
17. With the inclusive approach, efficient coordinating mechanisms in place, and the close cooperation between us, I am certain of a successful and mutually beneficial conclusion of this process.
18. On this note, I wish today’s event a great success.

Thank you.

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