Permanent Secretary discussed with Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and ASEAN SOM Leader of Japan, expressing Thailand’s readiness as Country Coordinator for ASEAN- Japan relations during August 2021-2024 and enhancing cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and preparation for celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2023.

On 20 July 2021, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dicussed with H.E. Mr. YAMADA Shigeo, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and ASEAN SOM Leader of Japan, via video conference, upon the latter’s request for an introductory call on the occasion of his assumption of the new positions.

Both sides discussed how to further enhance Thailand-Japan and ASEAN-Japan cooperation in a number of areas. They agreed to promote cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and translate the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Cooperation on the AOIP into concrete outcomes. In addition, both sides supported the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and discussed the way forward to strengthen the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations as Thailand will take the role of the Country Coordinator from August 2021 to 2024.

The Permanent Secretary extended gratitude to Japan for the 1,053,090 doses of vaccines delivered to Thailand. He also expressed Thailand’s readiness to take the role of the incoming Country Coordinator with the following priority areas of cooperation: enhancing cooperation on COVID-19 response and post-pandemic recovery; promoting cooperation on the AOIP, particularly in the area of sustainable development while proposing cooperation on the Bio, Circular and Green or BCG Economy Model in line with Japan’s Green Growth Strategy and; preparing for a landmark celebration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Dialogue Relations in 2023.

Both sides exchanged views on the regional and international issues, namely the situations in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and Myanmar. The Permanent Secretary also extended his best wishes to Japan on the hosting of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.