H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Francisco Echeverri, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, co-chaired the 3rd Thailand - Colombia Bilateral Consultations, enhancing relations and cooperation on trade promotion, innovation, startup network and technical cooperation on BCG model for the post COVID-19 economic recovery.

On July 22,2021 H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Francisco Echeverri Lara, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, co-chaired the 3rd Bilateral Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of the Republic of Colombia, via teleconference.

Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen and enhance closer cooperation in all dimensions of mutual interest, as well as in response to the pandemic and sustainable post- COVID-19 economic recovery, which is in line with Thailand’s national agenda on BCG economy model while the Colombian side reiterated its willingness to increase all spheres of cooperation with Thailand.

During the Meeting, both sides agreed to further promote trade cooperation with more diversified products related to a new normal context, as well as the cooperations on research and development in COVID-19 vaccines, the expansion of innovation and start up networking, intelligence exchange on protection and prevention of narcotics, sports cooperation as well as technical cooperation on sustainable tourism and drugs crop substitution. On multilateral issues, both sides exchanged views under the framework of cooperation between Pacific Alliance with ASEAN and Thailand.

The Republic of Colombia is a friendly country with great potential in socio-economic cooperation with Thailand. With population of more than 50 million people, growing middle class and abundant natural resources, Colombia is currently Thailand’s 6th largest trading partner among 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries.