Prime Minister Paethongtarn' shines on the ASEAN stage, presenting her vision on the first stage with 3 important issues, emphasizing the sustainability of members, human security, and regional integration to connect ASEAN countries strongly, leading to the 'good living' of more than 700 million people in the region. Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, joined the statement at the 44th ASEAN Summit (full delegation) to emphasize the need for ASEAN to have 'Collective Leadership' or working together among member states to solve people's problems and promote the good living of more than 700 million people in the region. In the morning meeting today, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, Government Spokesperson, summarized the main points as follows: Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra thanked for the warm welcome to the ASEAN family, which is an important foundation of Thailand's foreign policy in striving to move forward to develop the ASEAN Community. At this critical juncture where ASEAN member countries face d ifficult and complex challenges, from geopolitical competition to climate change, the widespread damage from Typhoon "Yagi" in many ASEAN member countries is a reminder for Thailand to prioritize development with people at the center. In addition, it is necessary to create an ASEAN Community that is more connected and resilient to each problem. The Prime Minister believes that collective leadership is ready to make a difference and lead to problem solving and shared prosperity. Thailand has proposed the following important issues: On the issue of 'sustainability', Thailand, as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development, sees that ASEAN must jointly take action on climate and carbon neutrality, the transition to clean energy, green finance and the green economy, including digital innovation for a sustainable future, to ensure that economic growth in this modern era will not affect the environment or create environmental risks in the region. On the issue of 'human security', Thailand proposed that ASE AN must work together to combat all crises so that people have food, energy and basic necessities. It should also promote smart agriculture along with sustainable agriculture to lay a solid foundation for long-term food security and productivity in the region. In addition, ASEAN's energy framework must be strengthened, such as the ASEAN Power Grid, to ensure energy resilience in the region. At the same time, ASEAN members should jointly promote the management of water resources across borders, as well as enhance the potential to suppress transnational crimes, especially online fraud, call center gangs and drug trafficking, by intensifying the control of border areas. On the issue of 'deep regional integration', Prime Minister Paethongtarn mentioned her support for ASEAN's efforts to improve and upgrade FTAs ??with its negotiating partners. As Thailand's Chair of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Negotiation Committee, she will push for the negotiations to be completed within this year (20 25) to create a mechanism to stimulate new economic growth in ASEAN. She also promoted the development of digital skills for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to increase access to financial sources to help create growth in the current volatile global economy. Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra also mentioned the creation of connectivity in all aspects that will be key, such as asking ASEAN to promote connectivity between peoples in particular, such as increasing flights and extending the visa-free period between ASEAN countries, promoting trade and tourism, and cooperation with other partner countries to enhance centrality and unity, which will make ASEAN's engagement with external partner countries more strategically relevant. ASEAN members should avoid becoming agents of any power or allowing the region to become a stage for competition, in order to create strategic balance, and Thailand will actively promote peace and common prosperity to create an environment conducive to development in the region. The Prime Minister added that Thailand will look forward to the establishment of the ASEAN-ROK and ASEAN-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnerships, and Thailand is ready to support Malaysia's initiative to organize the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit next year. Mr. Chirayu continued that at the end of the morning meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated the Lao PDR for the success of the ASEAN Chairmanship this time and was ready to support Malaysia in the next ASEAN Chairmanship, which he is confident will lead the ASEAN member countries to develop in many aspects in the near future. Source: Thai News Agency
