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Thailand hosts the 23rd BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)

On 8 March 2023, Thailand as Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) hosted the 23rd BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in virtual form at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, presided over the Meeting, while Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, attended as Thailand’s Senior Official.

The Meeting took stock of the progress made under each sectors of cooperation since the 22nd SOM in March 2022 as well as administrative and financial matters. The Meeting endorsed the Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Mechanisms, a set of protocol documents that will help BIMSTEC function more systematically. Additionally, the Senior Officials also endorsed the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which will contribute to enhancing maritime connectivity within the region.

As Lead Country, Thailand gave a report on the progress made under the Connectivity Sector. Following the finalization of Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, Thailand also urged Member States to continue the discussions on the Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the Agreement. In this regard, Thailand will host the Fourth Meeting of the BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Working Group on 20 March 2023.

Thailand also informed the Meeting of its proposal to establish a BIMSTEC business advisory council to enhance engagements between BIMSTEC and the private sector, with a view to further drive trade and investment in the region.

The BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting is a core BIMSTEC mechanism responsible for the preparation for the Ministerial Meeting, which includes stocktaking of progress of each sector of cooperation and endorsing of relevant documents for the consideration by the Ministers.

Thailand hosts the 19th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting (MM)

On 9 March 2023, Thailand as Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) hosted the 19th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting virtually at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, chaired the Meeting, while H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand represented the Thai delegation.

DPM/FM Don highlighted the need for BIMSTEC to work more closely together to become an effective regional player with a shared strategic vision and a leading role in promoting a safe, stable and secure Bay of Bengal. At the same time, the Chair also highlighted a need for BIMSTEC to be able to decisively and substantially contribute to the global progress in human development, green development, food and energy security, and climate change.

The Meeting discussed and approved the draft text of BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, a leader-level document proposed by Thailand to guide BIMSTEC towards a prosperous, resilient and open region by 2030. The document aims to further promote BIMSTEC as a region of peace, stability, and economic sustainability. The goals found in the Vision are also in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model.

The Meeting approved a number of agreements and important documents, including the Bangkok Vision 2030, Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Mechanism, and Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation. These documents will go on to be later discussed at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

“BIMSTEC on Tour x POL – SCI CMU” co-organized by the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chiang Mai University

On 15 February 2023, the Department of International Economic Affairs and the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University co-organized BIMSTEC on Tour x POL – SCI CMU. Mr. Racha Aribarg, Director of Economic Relations and Cooperation Division, Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Associate Professor Dr. Pailin Phujeenaphan, Dean of Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University jointly presided over the event.

This event aimed to raise awareness about BIMSTEC and Thailand’s leading role as the current Chair of BIMSTEC. The event covered a wide range of activities, including quiz, debate competition and cultural performance from the Lanna folk club, as well as an exhibition on the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of BIMSTEC. Attended by more than 800 students from various provinces of Thailand, the event provided a good opportunity for academics to learn more and exchange their views on BIMSTEC.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to raise public awareness and engagement on BIMSTEC during Thailand’s Chairmanship.

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Thailand hosted the 6th Meeting of BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC)

Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, chaired the 6th Meeting of BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) to discuss the cooperation mechanism of BIMSTEC during 1 – 2 February 2023 in Bangkok. The meeting successfully concluded four key documents including: (1) Rules of Procedure for Core BIMSTEC Mechanisms; (2) Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Sectoral Mechanisms; (3) Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC’s External Relations and (4) Draft Terms of Reference for Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC. These documents will guide the future direction for BIMSTEC while also setting the mechanism’s standard operating procedures, resulting in a more streamlined and consistent organizational structure. The Meeting also discussed the importance of ensuring that BIMSTEC stays relevant, especially in the current context of post-pandemic economic recovery. The BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee Meeting is a core mechanism responsible for administrative and financial matters of the secretariat and preparation agenda for the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.

After assuming the BIMSTEC Chairmanship in March 2022, Thailand has already hosted two rounds of BIMTEC Permanent Working Committee meetings, producing many significant outcome documents which will be submitted to the 23rd Senior Officials’ Meeting and the 19th Ministerial Meeting in March 2023.

All Member States and the Secretariat have compliments to meetings hosted by Thailand which have fostered a spirit of cooperation within BIMSTEC.

Special Meeting of the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee

On 21 – 22 December 2022, Miss Rujikorn Saengchantr, Deputy Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs, chaired the Special Meeting of the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (S-BPWC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Meeting discussed ways to strengthen and enhance the standard of practices of BIMSTEC as the rule-based subregional cooperation framework. The meeting successfully concluded three key documents including: 1) Rules of Procedure (RoP) for Core BIMSTEC Mechanisms 2) Rules of Procedure for Sectoral BIMSTEC Mechanisms and 3) Draft Terms of Reference for Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC, all of which will serve as a foundation for future BIMSTEC cooperation as well as strengthen BIMSTEC as the only international cooperation binding South Asia and Southeast Asia together. The report of this meeting will be proposed to the 23^rd BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting, which will be hosted by Thailand in 2023, for further consideration.

During the Meeting, the Deputy Director-General also deposited Thailand’s Instrument of Ratification for the BIMSTEC Charter to H.E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, Secretary General of BIMSTEC. Thailand is the second Member State to deposit the Instrument of Ratification, after India.

Deputy Director General of Department of International Economic Affairs paid a visit to Ubon Ratchathani Province to raise awareness of BIMSTEC during Thailand’s Chairmanship.

On 19 September 2022, Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Deputy Director General of Department of International Economic Affairs, paid a visit to Ubon Ratchathani Province, as part of the Ministry’s “BIMSTEC on Tour” project, and had a discussion with Asst. Prof. Dr. Chutinan Prasitpuripreecha, President of Ubon Ratchathani University, and executives of the University to discuss areas of cooperation in raising awareness of BIMSTEC during Thailand’s BIMSTEC Chairmanship 2022 – 2023, among others.

The University’s President expressed her readiness to support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in raising awareness on BIMSTEC among the youth, promoting network among social studies teachers and supporting a Start-up camp as well as business model competition between BIMSTEC member countries and Thailand’s neighboring countries in the Mekong sub-region, namely Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In addition, potential cooperation on training courses for BIMSTEC people were also discussed.

In this connection, the Deputy Director General handed over books on Thailand’s foreign policy published by the International Studies Center (ISC) to the Office of Academic Resources, Ubon Ratchathani University.

On the same day, the Deputy Director General also discussed with Mr. Mongkol Julatatsana, Chairman of Ubon Ratchathani Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Somchart Pongkapanakrai, Chairman of Southern Northeast Provinces Chamber of Commerce 2, on economic connectivity, transportation routes, trade, investment and tourism promotion. Ubon Ratchathani Chamber of Commerce is considered one of the strongest Chambers in Thailand. It will host the 40th Chamber of Commerce Seminar Nationwide during 25 – 27 November 2022.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ubon Ratchathani University organised the “BIMSTEC on Tour” activities in Sisaket Province.

On 20 September 2022, Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Deputy Director General of Department of International Economic Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony of the “BIMSTEC on Tour” activity at Satreesiriket School in Sisaket Province. The activity was attended by Mr. Anurat Thamprajamjit, Deputy Governor of Sisaket Province, Asst.Prof.Dr. Oranuch Puangsuk, Assistant to the President for International Relations and Education of Ubon Ratchathani University, Dr. Chuchart Kaewnok, Director of Sisaket and Yasothon Secondary Educational Area Office. Approximately 500 students from various schools in the Northeast of Thailand attended this event.

The “BIMSTEC on Tour” programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Faculty of Political Science of Ubon Ratchathani University, to reach out to the public and raise their awareness among the youth on Thailand’s role as the BIMSTEC Chair. The programme covers a wide range of activities, including academic seminar, quiz competition and project competition, the exhibition on the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of BIMSTEC, dissemination of information about BIMSTEC, exchange of experiences by the students from the BIMSTEC Member States studying at Ubon Ratchathani University, and a cultural performance on “From the Bay of Bengal to the Mekong river Basin”.

In addition, on 14 September 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, jointly organised an academic seminar on “The 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of BIMSTEC: Truth, Aspiration, and Opportunities” aimed at promoting public awareness on BIMSTEC. The seminar was attended by students, academics, and more than 300 participants. It was also a good opportunity for academics to exchange their views on BIMSTEC related international affairs, geopolitics, culture, public health and technological aspects.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to raise public awareness and engagement during Thailand’s Chairmanship of BIMSTEC, 2022-2023.

กต. และ ม.อุบลฯ ร่วมจัดเสวนาวิชาการ “25 ปีแห่งการสถาปนา BIMSTEC: ความจริง ความหวัง และโอกาส”

เมื่อวันที่ 14 กันยายน 2565 กรมเศรษฐกิจระหว่างประเทศ กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ ร่วมกับ คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี และกลุ่มศึกษาอินเดียแห่งมหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี จัดเสวนาวิชาการ “25 ปีแห่งการสถาปนา BIMSTEC: ความจริง ความหวัง และโอกาส” ณ ห้องประชุม Pol 301 คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี โดยมีนักศึกษา คณาจารย์ และผู้สนใจกว่า 300 คนเข้าร่วมกิจกรรม

การเสวนาดังกล่าว เปิดพื้นที่ให้นักวิชาการได้สะท้อนมุมมองถึงความจริง ความหวัง และโอกาส ภายใต้ ความริเริ่มแห่งอ่าวเบงกอลสำหรับความร่วมมือหลากหลายสาขาทางวิชาการและเศรษฐกิจ (BIMSTEC) ผ่านการแลกเปลี่ยนความคิดเห็นผ่านหลากหลายมุมมอง ได้แก่ มุมมองด้านความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างประเทศ โดย ดร.ศิริสุดา แสนอิว คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี มุมมองด้านวัฒนธรรม โดย รศ.ดร.สิทธิชัย สมานชาติ คณะศิลปประยุกต์และสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี มุมมองด้านภูมิรัฐศาสตร์ โดย ดร.ธนเชษฐ วิสัยจร คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี มุมมองด้านสาธารณสุข โดย ผศ.สิริทรัพย์ สีหะวงษ์ คณะพยาบาลศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี มุมมองด้านเทคโนโลยี โดย ดร.ศิริพร จันทนสกุลวงศ์ คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี และดำเนินรายการโดย ดร.ดารุณี พุ่มแก้ว คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี

ความริเริ่มแห่งอ่าวเบงกอลสำหรับความร่วมมือหลากหลายสาขาทางวิชาการและเศรษฐกิจ (BIMSTEC) เป็นความร่วมมือซี่งประกอบไปด้วยชาติสมาชิก 7 ประเทศรอบอ่าวเบงกอล ได้แก่ บังกลาเทศ ภูฏาน อินเดีย เมียนมา เนปาล ศรีลังกา และไทย โดย BIMSTEC นับเป็นความร่วมมือระหว่างประเทศที่มีศักยภาพในอนาคตอันใกล้ เนื่องจากหากพิจารณาในแง่ของจำนวนประชากรและขนาดของเศรษฐกิจแล้วจะพบว่า ในปัจจุบันประเทศสมาชิกของ BIMSTEC มีประชากรรวมกันกว่า 1.68 พันล้านคน หรือ ประมาณ ร้อยละ 22 ของประชากรโลก โดยประเทศสมาชิกมี GDP รวมกัน 3.697 ล้านล้านเหรียญสหรัฐต่อปี จึงทำให้ภูมิภาคอ่าวเบงกอลมีความสำคัญทั้งในแง่ยุทธศาสตร์ และเศรษฐกิจ และการค้า

โดยในปี 2565 – 2566 ประเทศไทยได้รับมอบตำแหน่งประธาน BIMSTEC และมุ่งมั่นที่จะร่วมมือกับประเทศสมาชิกอย่างใกล้ชิดเพื่อเสริมสร้างให้อ่าวเบงกอลมีความมั่งคั่ง ยั่งยืน ฟื้นคืน และเปิดกว้าง (Prosperous, Resilient, Open BIMSTEC) หรือ “PRO BIMSTEC” และมุ่งใช้โมเดลเศรษฐกิจชีวภาพ-เศรษฐกิจหมุนเวียน-เศรษฐกิจสีเขียว (Bio-Circular-Green Economy : BCG economic model) เป็นแนวคิดหลักในการขับเคลื่อนความร่วมมือระหว่างประเทศสมาชิกในแต่ละสาขา ด้วยเหตุนี้ การเสวนาวิชาการ “25 ปีแห่งการสถาปนา BIMSTEC: ความจริง ความหวัง และโอกาส” ภายใต้โครงการการสร้างการรับรู้ BIMSTEC ในครั้งนี้จึงเป็นโอกาสอันดีในการสร้างความตระหนักรู้ (awareness) เกี่ยวกับ BIMSTEC โดยเริ่มตั้งแต่การแนะนำเกี่ยวกับ BIMSTEC ไปจนถึงการสร้างความเข้าใจและการทำให้เห็นถึงความสำคัญและศักยภาพของความร่วมมือดังกล่าวในหมู่เยาวชนคนรุ่นใหม่และประชาชนทั่วไปซี่งจะเป็นพื้นฐานสำคัญในการเชื่อมโยงระหว่างประชาชนกับประชาชนในภูมิภาคต่อไป

ทั้งนี้ผู้สนใจสามารถรับฟังบันทึกการเสวนาดังกล่าวได้ที่เพจเฟสบุ๊ค คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี https://www.facebook.com/polsciubu/videos/2869841969978995

ข่าว/ภาพ คณะรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยอุบลราชธานี

Thailand hosted the 5th BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) Meeting

Thailand hosted the 5th BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) Meeting to discuss the cooperation mechanism of BIMSTEC at Siam@Siam Design Hotel during 13-15 September 2022. During the meeting, Thailand presented “BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030” aiming to build a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open (PRO) BIMSTEC by 2030. The Vision sets a clear direction and priorities as well as a goal for BIMSTEC collaboration to tackle challenges and seize opportunities for the coming decade. The Meeting also recommended that Thailand’s proposal be submitted to the 23rd Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) for endorsement with a view to adopting it at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

Furthermore, the Meeting has acknowledged Thailand’s proposal that BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT) formulates short and long term policy recommendations on BIMSTEC’s development such as how to strengthen BIMSTEC; ways and means to build collective efforts to assist Member States who are facing severe challenges.

The 5th BPWC Meeting is the first physical meeting hosted by Thailand after assuming the BIMSTEC chairmanship in March 2022. The outcome of the meeting reflects a strong commitment of all Member States to drive BIMSTEC toward a more dynamic and stronger institution.

The Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

H.E. Mr. Tenzen Lekphell, the Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on 15 June 2022, during the former’s official visit to Thailand during 12 – 16 June 2022.

Both sides exchanged views on how to strengthen cooperation within the framework of BIMSTEC and its future. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised Thailand’s role during the chairmanship in enhancing cooperation among Member States, especially in the connectivity sector, where Thailand is the Lead Country.

During his visit, the Secretary General attended the Exhibition of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of BIMSTEC at ICONSIAM and delivered a speech at the Opening Ceremony. Secretary General reiterated that BIMSTEC remains a core mechanism of South and Southeast Asia to promote prosperity, stability and peace of the two regions. In addition, Secretary General also visited the Ministry of Transport of Thailand and received a briefing on “BIMSTEC Connectivity and Thailand”.

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