Summary of Weekly Press Briefing
by Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA
Friday, 22 November 2024 at 11.00 hrs.
Press Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MFA FB/ Tiktok Live

1. Outcomes of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru

• During 14 – 16 November 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the 35^th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and accompanied the Prime Minister to attend the 31^st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) and related meetings in Lima, Peru.
• At the 35^th AMM, Thailand engaged with other APEC Ministers on 3 topics:

(1) On the use of digital technology to promote transition to the formal economy and the global economy – where Thailand underlined the importance of access to financial products/services for all groups, digital technology and expanding the formal workforce to assist aging economies;

(2) On sustainable growth for flexible development – Thailand continues to advance the Bangkok Goals on the BCG Economy, smart farming for food security, transition to sustainable energy, reaching clean energy targets, and responsible and sustainable MSMEs; and

(3) On inclusive and connected trade and investment – Thailand pushed for the Free-Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) focusing on the digital economy, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment of women and vulnerable groups.

• At the conclusion of the Ministerial Meeting, there was the presentation of the 2^nd APEC BCG Awards, which was initiated by Thailand in APEC 2022, in 3 categories: (1) Women: a Thai woman who owns an eco-friendly clothing shop and generates income for women groups in the community; (2) MSME: a Thai company that transforms agricultural waste into eco-friendly products; and (3) Youth: an Indonesian youth who developed an application to promote food waste reduction.
• The 31^st AELM adopted 3 outcome documents including (1) The Leaders’ Machu Picchu Declaration, (2) The Ichma Statement on A New Look at the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda, and (3) The Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economies (2025-2040). During the meeting, the Prime Minister underlined Thailand’s support for multilateralism, opportunities for all, and economic integration, especially through efforts toward FTAAP, and promoting connectivity by expanding the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). She also called for continued progress under the Bangkok Goals and underlined Thailand’s readiness to play a bridging role in promoting cooperation between Member Economies and other partners.
• On the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW), the Prime Minister also had bilateral meetings with the President of Peru and the President of China, as well as participated in the APEC CEO Summit, where she delivered a vision statement themed “Aging, Pandemics, and the Path to Innovation,” exchanged views with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), and had discussions with chief executives of multinational key businesses, including Microsoft, Google, and TikTok.

2. Event to Commemorate 20 years since the Indian Ocean Tsunami, titled “20 Years On: Remembering the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami”

• On 21 November 2024, the Ministry hosted a commemorative event “20 Years On: Remembering the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami,” which was well attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organisations, representatives of relevant agencies and civil society, private sector, media, and youth representatives.
• The event’s activities included (1) a panel discussion on “Towards a more resilient Asia-Pacific through multi-hazard Early Warning Systems”; (2) a ceremony in remembrance of the losses from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and presentation of contributions to the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness, for which Thailand made a USD 500,000 donation, and (3) a Disaster Resilience Exhibition, highlighting work on disaster risk reduction and related innovations by various sectors.
• The event was aimed at raising awareness on disaster preparedness in the region and highlighting the role of the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund initiated by Thailand in 2005 (with USD 10 million given by Thailand upon its establishment). The Trust Fund has played an important role in early-warning systems and disaster risk reduction throughout the past 20 years.

3. UNHCR’s recognition of Thailand’s efforts towards ending statelessness

• The Ministry is pleased to learn that the UNHCR has issued a statement commending the Royal Thai Government, and will hold an event on 25 November at Pullman King Power Hotel to celebrate the Thai Cabinet resolution on 29 October 2024, proposed by the Office of the National Security Council, approving an accelerated pathway to permanent residency and nationality for eligible stateless people who have resided in the Kingdom for long periods of time, and their children who were born in Thailand.
• The UNHCR congratulated Thailand, noting the ‘historic’ step that reflects Thailand’s global and regional leadership on statelessness.
• The said guidelines will shorten the time needed to grant nationality or elevate status for a target group of more than 400,000 people. These are mostly ethnic minorities who have migrated to Thailand for a long period of time, mostly over 40 years, and have children who were born and educated here. Their personal data have also been recorded by Thai authorities.
• Those eligible will be entitled to essential government services, lessening the risk of exploitation, such as human trafficking and forced labour, so that they can contribute more fully to our economic and social development.
• Thailand has a long record of addressing statelessness, and has often been commended by international organisations, including UNHCR and IOM, as a ‘regional champion’ since 2014. Thailand continues to advocate this cause on the international stage, having co-founded the Group of Friends of #Ibelong Campaign, and joining the UNHCR’s Global Alliance to End Statelessness this year.

4. Opening of the Legalization Office, Pathumwan, at Central World

• On 27 November, the Foreign Minister will officially open the Legalization Office, Pathumwan, at Central World department store in the centre of Bangkok. This new Office will provide greater and more convenient access to legalization services fulfilling the demand that has been increasing, in accordance with the Government’s policies of advancing people-centred foreign affairs, and people diplomacy. A service centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will also be set up at the same location.
• the Legalization Office, Pathumwan, located in Zone D, 6th Floor of the Central World Shopping Plaza, will be open Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays), from 10.00 - 16.30 hrs. An online queuing system will be available through the website https://qlegal.consular.go.th/

5. Condolences for the death of an Australian tourist after being transferred to Thailand for treatment

• The Ministry have been following developments in the case of suspected methanol poisoning in our neighbouring country, particularly regarding two Australian nationals, both of whom were transported into Thailand to receive treatment, after having ingested the suspected tainted alcohol.
• On 21 November 2024, the Ministry received the tragic news of the passing of one of the two Australian nationals from that incident. We send our deepest condolences to her family for this immense loss. Our thoughts are with them and we do hope that the remaining Australian national still receiving care in a Bangkok hospital, will be able to overcome and recover soon.

Watch full session: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18saPEK3MQ/?