Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand as APEC 2022 SOM Chair chaired the APEC Informal Senior Officials Meeting

วันที่นำเข้าข้อมูล 3 Dec 2021

วันที่ปรับปรุงข้อมูล 30 Nov 2022

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Thailand introduced APEC 2022 priorities and deliverables under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.” at the APEC Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM). The APEC ISOM is the very first meeting that the APEC Senior Officials are introduced to the entire workplan for 2022.

The APEC ISOM was successfully held in Phuket during 2-3 December 2021 with participation of APEC Senior Officials and representatives from 21 member economies, chaired by H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and APEC 2022 SOM Chair.

Towards post-COVID-19 economic recovery, the meeting voiced strong support for Thai Host Year priorities, including works on promoting balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth. Open trade and investment and advancing regional economic integration were placed as APEC’s core principles to reach the goal. The meeting also emphasised the need to reconnect the region and resume cross-border travel in a safe, seamless and practical manner, to promote responsible business conduct with a focus on environmental aspects, strengthen the use of technology, innovation and digitalisation to holistically advance APEC’s works. The meeting welcomed the alignment with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action.

Senior Officials also had a dialogue with Mr. Suphan Mongkolsuthee, the Chair of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), to discuss ways to synchronise and synergise work plans between the public and private sector.

As APEC 2022 host, Thailand introduced three priorities for APEC 2022: First, open to all trade and investment opportunities, including by a refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) through post-COVID lens, making sure that all sectors in the society can benefit from trade and investment; Second, reconnect the region by resuming safe and seamless cross border travel and advancing digitalisation to enhance connectivity in all dimensions. Harmonising APEC travel protocol and expanding the coverage of APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to further promote inclusivity and facilitate business travel and economic activities; Third, create a paradigm shift toward a robust, inclusive, sustainable growth in tandem with environmental conservation, driven by the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy. Thailand and APEC member economies will work closely together and explore a leader-level document that reaffirms APEC’s commitment to accelerate a transition to balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth.

The APEC ISOM marked the first time in two years since APEC Senior Officials last met in-person. The success of the APEC ISOM reflects Thailand’s ability to adapt and adjust to the ever-evolving and uncertain nature of the pandemic. APEC economies are committed to moving forward in this new-normal to drive APEC 2022 for a more inclusive, balanced and sustainable future of the Asia-Pacific.

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