Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

by Director-General of Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

on 20 June 2024 at 14.00 hrs.

at Press Conference Room, MFA and MFA FB Live

1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the BRICS Ministerial Meeting

• On 9 - 12 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the BRICS Ministerial Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, under the Russian Chairmanship of BRICS.
• The Minister delivered a statement during the formal meeting on the topic of “Promoting Multilateralism for Development and Global Security,” stressing the importance of BRICS in strengthening the world’s multilateral mechanism and hoping that Thailand could play a part in advancing different cooperation areas in BRICS.
• He also had bilateral discussions with the Foreign Ministers of China and Russia, and met with a number of high-level representatives from many countries.

2. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine

• The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, was tasked by the Prime Minister to attend the Summit on Peace in Ukraine during 15 - 16 June 2024 in Switzerland. The Summit was attended by 92 countries and 8 international organizations. 
• Thailand’s participation at this Summit demonstrates the support for efforts to bring about an early end to the conflict and the continued support for mitigating its impacts, both in terms of food security and humanitarian assistance.
• The Vice Minister also held bilateral discussions with the Turkish Foreign Minister, the UK National Security Advisor and the Director-General of the Netherlands Department for Political Affairs.

3. Developments in Thailand’s Bid for OECD Member

• On 17 June 2024, the OECD Council approved for Thailand’s application to formally start accession discussions. Thailand’s next step is to draft an Accession Roadmap with the OECD council to set targets, conditions and timeframes for implementation in line with the OECD instruments. 
• This is an important development in Thailand’s aspiration to become OECD member. It reflects that Thailand shares the values ​​and goals, including democracy, rule of law, human rights, open and transparent market economy, which are in line with other OECD member countries. Thailand looks forward to advancing further on this path to membership and further strengthening good relations between Thailand and all OECD member countries.

4. Foreign Missions in the Upcoming Week

       4.1 On 23 - 25 June 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will attend the 19th ACD Ministerial Meeting in Tehran. Thailand aims to push for the ACD framework to be more dynamic and sustainalbe, as well as elevate ACD to be more relevant to Asia and grant Thailand more visibility in the multilateral frameworks. Thailand already informed other members of the intention to hold the ACD Chairmanship in 2025.

       4.2 On 25 - 28 June 2024, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan and his spouse are scheduled to pay an official visit to Thailand as guests of the government at the invitation of the Prime Minister. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Bhutan will have a bilateral discussion with the Prime Minister of Thailand, a joint press conference, witness signing ceremonies, and meetings with the private and tourism sectors.

5. The intention of the Art Institute of Chicago to Return Antiques to Thailand

• On 18 June 2024, the Art Institute of Chicago expressed its intention to return antiquities to Thailand.
• The sandstone pillar has been verified by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand that is is part of a pillar on the left side of the eastern door frame of Phanom Rung Castle in Buriram Province. It is believed to have been smuggled out of Thailand in 1965 before the restoration of the Phanom Rung Castle.
• The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chicago has played a crucial role in coordinating details with all of the parties, both the Thai and the U.S. sides, involved on past and next steps in returning the artifacts safely to Thailand.

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