On 10 November 2026, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered opening remarks at the Canada-Thailand Economic Dialogue on Economic Cooperation, held under the theme “Resilience, Partnership, and Prosperity in an Uncertain World” at the Chatrium Grand Bangkok Hotel. The event was organized by the Embassy of Canada in Bangkok in collaboration with the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) and the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) of the University of Victoria. It brought together representatives from the government, private sector, and academic communities of Thailand and Canada.

The Vice Minister underscored the importance of enhancing international cooperation, particularly between Thailand and Canada, to strengthen economic resilience and supply chain security amid growing global uncertainty. He noted that Thailand and Canada possess complementary strengths and significant potential to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and innovation, including in clean energy, advanced technologies, agri-food industries, and artificial intelligence. As Thailand and Canada commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, he highlighted the significant progress made in bilateral economic cooperation, including the official launch of negotiations for the Thailand-Canada Free Trade Agreement (TCAFTA) in late October 2026. He further noted that the Dialogue would provide a useful platform for generating fresh perspectives and practical recommendations to support the advancement of Thailand-Canada economic cooperation in the years ahead.

The Dialogue focused on three key areas: (1) energy security and the transition to clean energy; (2) food security and agricultural development; and (3) productivity enhancement and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Dialogue sought to promote closer economic cooperation and further strengthen the partnership between Thailand and Canada.