Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

by Director-General of the Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA

Sunday, 19 January 2025 at 12.00 hrs.

at Westin Hotels & Resorts Hotel in Langkawi, Malaysia

1. The outcome of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, between 18-19 January 2025.

• H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMM Retreat) on 18-19 January 2025 in Langkawi, Malaysia.

• The ASEAN Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, particularly on the ASEAN Community building and the development of Strategic Plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 which will be submitted for the ASEAN Leaders’ adoption at the 46th Summit this year. The Ministers also exchanged views on situations and geopolitical developments that impact the region.

• Foreign Minister  reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to continue advancing cooperation within ASEAN frameworks in support of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship priorities, with particular focus on sustainable development and green agenda, economic integration, human security and combatting transnational issues such as online scams, drug trafficking, and transboundary haze.  Foreign Minister Maris voiced support for promoting ASEAN’s external relations in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), strengthening multilateralism in the region, as well as Malaysia’s initiatives to convene the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC+China Summit this year.

• On Myanmar, the Meeting reiterated that the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) remains the main reference for ASEAN in finding peaceful and durable solutions to the situation. In this regard, Foreign Minister Maris reassured Thailand’s support for Malaysia’s efforts on Myanmar in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair, as well as for the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, to realise tangible progress on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.

• Furthermore, Foreign Minister Maris also had bilateral discussions with His Excellency Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and H.E. Sugiono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will accompany the Prime Minister to the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting between 20-24 January 2025.

• The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting will be held from 20-24 January 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”. 
• The meeting will be attended by leaders and representatives from over 100 governments, major international organizations, executives from over 1,000 leading companies, and leaders from civil society and leading media.
• On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand will take an important step in promoting and expanding trade opportunities between Thailand and European countries by signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). This is Thailand’s first FTA with a European bloc.
• Two other highlights of the trip to Davos include (1) the Thailand Reception under the theme “Nourishing the Future for All”, where the Prime Minister and related ministers will demonstrate the economic and innovation potential of Thai food. This event is made possible with  the strong support of the Thai private sector which are members of the WEF, including: 1. PTT Public Company Limited 2. ThaiBev 3. Siam Cement Group 4. BitKub 5. Bangkok Bank 6. Kasikorn Bank 7. Bangchak Corporation, as well as the team of the CHEF CARES Foundation who will be proudly presenting the uniqueness of Thai cuisine to world leaders at the WEF this year.
• Another second highlight is the interview of the Prime Minister at the “Betazone (Event): Not losing sight of soft power” where she will focus her comments on how the government is driving Thailand’s creative economy and soft power.
• The Thai delegation will consist of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Digital Society and Economy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, as well as the Secretary-General of the BOI and Thai Trade Representatives.

Watch Full Session: https://youtu.be/DBv6dzAQpz8