Thailand has embarked on its role as chairman of the 2025 Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). There is a clear agenda to promote the region towards sustainable growth by promoting collaboration amid innovation, geopolitical conflicts and promoting understanding, trust and trust through comprehensive dialogue. Assuming the chairman on January 1, 2025, Thailand is poised to strengthen Asian collaboration amid complex geopolitical challenges and rapid technological changes.
Adjusting diverse benefits across Asia
Thailand is an ACD initiator and founding member of ASEAN, and is consistently a driving force behind multilateralism. Under the theme of “Promoting the Future Through Sustainable Growth and Innovation in Asia,” the Thai Chair aims to promote the ACD to the pivotal “Pan Asia Forum.” The initiative is designed to boost cooperation, build trust and promote open dialogue between member states. Thailand’s strategic position as a bridge builder is set to coordinate diverse interests within the ACD while linking dialogue to a broader international framework.
Between her, Prime Minister Paetontalun Sinawatra Recent engagementhighlighted Asia’s role as an important hub for global food and energy security, often referred to as the world’s “big powers” and “kitchen.” Working on the 3rd Asian Cooperative Conversation Summit, she highlighted the key challenges facing the region, including geopolitical tensions, climate change and the need for technological advancement.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a bilateral meeting on October 3, 2024 with President Masoud Pezeshkian and bystanders of the 3rd ACD Summit.
The Prime Minister advocated for strengthening trade networks and harmonization standards to ensure the resilience of the global food supply chain, highlighting Thailand’s pivotal geographical location as a natural connector between the East and West.
The Thai government outlined a series of major conferences to promote its agenda throughout the year. The lineup includes the ACD Virtual Higher Officials Meeting in February, the high-level meeting on global architecture in May, and the 20th ACD Ministerial Meeting in August. These gatherings are directed at fostering substantial debates on innovation and sustainable development within the region.
Additionally, Thailand will hold an informal ministerial meeting on the bystanders of New York’s 80th UN General Assembly in September and hold a handover ceremony.
Thailand’s focus extends to strengthening the role of ACD in global economic stability and security. By advocating economic and financial stability rooted in balanced financial architecture, Thailand builds on lessons from the 1997 Asian financial crisis. This approach is intended to support the global agenda of fundraising for development and ensure that economic growth benefits everything.
The “Asian Century” agenda
International and regional stakeholders are closely monitoring progress, as Thailand is leading these initiatives. The success of the Thai chair not only impacts the regional collaboration environment, but is expected to set a robust model for future cooperation across Asia. With its commitment to fostering sustainable and innovative growth, Thailand is determined to leverage Asia’s collective strengths and declare the 21st century the “Asian Century.”
This positive agenda highlights Thailand’s commitment to leveraging ACD as a dynamic platform to promote peace, prosperity and sustainable development across Asia. The world is watching Thailand leads its way in fostering a more resilient and prosperous Asia through strategic collaboration and innovative solutions.
Thailand and Iran are joining hands to drive ACDs
Iran became an ACD member in 2004 and, like Thailand, there is a strong desire and commitment to moving this group forward. Last year, Iran served as Thailand’s predecessor, ACD Chairman, and played an active role as chairman of two working groups under the ACD. One is about education and human resources development, and the other is about culture and tourism. Consultations were held regularly between Thai and Iranian officials, especially from the end of last year, leading to the delivery of the ACD chairs. Given the true efforts of both Thailand and Iran as current and former ACD chairs, the ACD will gain even more momentum and approach its vision of becoming an important platform for cooperation of 35 member states from Asia.
Teerin Julsawad and The Royal Thai Embassy, Tehran