Prayut's speech at ACD meeting

Your Royal Highness,

Distinguished Ministers,

Excellencies,

 

On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, one of the Founding Members of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), I would like to extend my gratitude to all ACD Member States for your confidence in Thailand in hosting the 14th ACD Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok. 

 

Today, we embarked on another historic step of the ACD. you may recall the 1stACD Ministerial Meeting hosted by Thailand in Cha-Am 14 years ago, where the 17 Asian countries agreed to launch the ACD process, based on the principle that the ACD should provide a platform for Ministers and Leaders to exchange views in a friendly and creative context and build confidence among all participants. As ACD Chair, I would like to welcome Nepalas the 34thACD Member Stateand believe that Nepal’s potential would make the ACD stronger and further enhance our international profile.

 

Under the context of growth and challenges of Asia, today’s Meeting is crucial for Member States to shape a concrete vision and direction for future cooperation of the ACD. With our shared aspirations, the Meeting provides a good opportunity to work together to find solutions to the challenges that face Asia.

 

Excellencies,

 

The theme of this Meeting, “ACD-The Way Forward,” is Thailand’s objective as the ACD Chair and Coordinator. The time has come for ACD Member States to review past challenges in boosting the momentum of ACD.We should plan new strategies to move forward and enhance ACD internal mechanisms by laying a more solid and progressive foundation for the ACD as follows:

 

First, it is imperative that we collectively draft a clear vision for ACD to set our common targets and policiesin moving the Asia region forward in a concrete manner. Despite our diverse values and cultures,I am positive that we all want to see an Asian community that achieves a balance between economic growth and social progress, underpinned by inclusive and sustainable development.But we cannot do it alone. Only a concerted effort of the ACD members will convert these ideas into reality.

 

Second,To harness the maximum potentials of the ACD members, regional connectivity should be one of our core values. Therefore, our top priorities should focus on expediting regional transport infrastructure development, especially land, air and water transport as well as strengthening rules and regulations to facilitate the smoother flows of goods and people. 

Our ACD region consists of 4.3 billion people which contribute to the total GDP of 26 trillion USD. These figures indicate that all 34 ACD member States combined into one entity will be the center of labor supply, raw materials, and production base in propelling the economy of Asia and the world.We need to deepen regional economic integration supported by multidimensional connectivity to reap the full benefits for our peoples and region. 

 

Third, our ACD vision for Asia cooperation would therefore require our special focus on promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Asia, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, through the sharing of knowledge, science, technology and innovation as well as local wisdom and knowledge of each ACD member. It is a great privilege for Thailand to share the knowledge of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty the King, an alternative approach toinclusive and sustainable development, which could be practiced in various dimensions and sectors, emphasizing three core elements: practicality, moderation and resilience. 

 

Fourth,ACD needs to enhance its mechanism by prioritizing and consolidating the existing 20 areas of cooperation. Thailandwishes to propose 6 priority pillars, namely (1) Connectivity; (2) Science, Technology and Innovation; (3) Education and Human Resource Development; (4) Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Security; (5) Tourism and Culture; and, (6) Alternative Approaches to Inclusive and Sustainable Development. it is of paramount importance that future activities under these six pillars be undertaken with a supporting role of the ACD Secretariat.

 

Excellencies,

 

Let me stress the substantive roles of the private sector and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in driving the economy and development in Asia. the promotion of SME and the private-sector participation should be greater enhanced and facilitated through an active forum. In this regard, the ACD Business Forum should be established to help broadening our business networks and encourage investments.

 

Thailand also recognizes the importance of enhancing academic partnership within the ACD by developing a mechanism that supports the exchange of academic sourcesas well as strengthening our education, knowledge-based economy and innovation, which will truly contribute to the human resource development of the region.

 

I am confident that the 14th ACD Ministerial Meeting will open a new chapter for the regional cooperation and set directives for the 2nd ACD Summit for resilience, shared prosperity, stability and sustainable development of Asia and for the benefits of our peoples.

 

Thank you.