Press Briefing by Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

Outcomes of the Post Ministerial Conference

26 July 2024, 15.45 – 16.15 hrs. at Press Center (ICTC), Vientiane, Lao PDR

• On 26 July 2024, H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with 11 dialogue partners, which are Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States. He also attended the 15^th Mekong – Japan Foreign Ministers Meeting, which Thailand co-hosted with the Japanese Foreign Minister as a coordinating country, and the 12^th Mekong - ROK Foreign Ministers Meeting.
• Tomorrow (27 July), the Foreign Minister will have a joint courtesy call on the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR with other ASEAN Foreign Ministers before attending:

1. The 25^th ASEAN plus three (+3)
2. The 14^th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the East Asia Summit (EAS)
3. The 31^st Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
4. The ASEAN – U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
5. The 3^rd Mekong – U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China discussed ways to promote cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), prepare for the upcoming 27^th ASEAN - China Summit, organize activities under the ASEAN - China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with New Zealand reviewed and determined the direction of cooperation in areas of mutual interest and benefit under the Strategic Partnership (SP), as well as to prepare for the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN - New Zealand relations in 2568. The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Japan where the Foreign Minister co-hosted with the Japanese Foreign Minister and jointly reviewed significant achievements of the 50^th Anniversary of ASEAN - Japan Friendship and Cooperation. They also discussed ways to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in all 3 pillars of cooperation, namely (1) Partners for Peace and Stability (2) Partners for Co-creation of Economy and Society and (3) Heart-to-Heart Partners across Generations. Thailand, as the 2021-2024 Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations, highlighted priority areas, including sustainable development, climate change mitigation, energy transition, digital economy, and health. At the conclusion of its term, Thailand successfully handed over the Country Coordinatorship to Singapore. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the European Union reviewed significant achievements and discussed ways to advance the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (SP), in which Thailand expressed its readiness to advance economic and green partnership, as well as concretise sustainable development cooperation between two regions. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the ROK supported the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) on the occasion of the 35^th Anniversary of the ASEAN - ROK relations. Thailand expressed its readiness to serve as the 2024 - 2027 Country Coordinator and commitment to further advancing cooperation in economic, innovative and soft power partnerships. Thailand also supported the ROK’s positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with India discussed enhanced partnership as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner (CSP) in areas that align with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), including seamless connectivity and sustainable development. In addition, The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Russia discussed ways to promote cooperation under the Strategic Partnership (SP) in all aspects, as well as encouraged Russia to have more constructive roles in different ASEAN frameworks, while adhering to ASEAN Centrality and those mechanisms that ASEAN plays a leading role. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the United Kingdom expressed appreciation for progress made from the implementation of the 2022 - 2026 Plan of Action in areas agreed by both sides, which would support ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the UK’s proactive role in Indo-Pacific. In addition, they also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Canada discussed cooperation under the Strategic Partnership (SP) in areas that align with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). Highlighted areas were digital transformation, including in e-services in healthcare and education, sustainable development, including green transformation and climate mitigation. In addition, they also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
• ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Australia reviewed and determined directions of cooperation in areas under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), especially on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Friendship and Cooperation. The meeting also exchanged views on the regional and international issues.
• The 15th Mekong-Japan (MJ) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting welcomed the adoption of the Cooperation Strategy 2024, which set agenda and future direction for the next 5 years on 3 pillars of cooperation; (1) Resilient and connected society (2) Digitalization, and (3) Proactive response to non-traditional security issues. The Minister underlined contribution made by Japan in supporting development programmes and capacity building in the fields of Japan’s expertise, and Thailand’s commitment in implementing the Strategy towards inclusive, resilient and prosperous of the Mekong sub-region.
• The 12th Mekong-Republic of Korea (Mekong-ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting commended the ROK’s active and long-standing engagement in the Mekong sub-region over the past 13 years, and reviewed progress in the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF), which supported 48 development projects across the sub-region. The Minister highlighted cooperation areas in non-traditional security issues, economic connectivity and participation of private sector, climate change, and synergies between the Mekong-ROK, ACMECS and ASEAN.