October 20, 2023 – 10.45 am (Riyadh local time). That is, 4 hours from Thailand) At the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mr. Sita Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance participated in the Riyadh Summit between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council with leaders of the member states of ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council, including the Kingdom. Saudi Arab. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman are ready to make statements under the concept of Innovative Partnership for a Sustainable Future or Creative Partnership for a Sustainable Future.
The Prime Minister said he was happy to come to the meeting today. I would like to express my appreciation for the Crown Prince’s hospitality. The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the ASEAN-GCC meeting at this historic time confirms Thailand’s intentions and commitment to strengthening relations between the two regions. The two regions have economic potential with a combined GDP of approximately 6% of global GDP. Thailand believes that the ASEAN-GCC cooperation framework that will be jointly ratified by all parties today will help enhance the potential for cooperation between the two regions.
The Prime Minister said that the two regions face common challenges in the areas of human security, food, energy, health and climate change. Including the issue of concern to all leaders, ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council jointly developed a sustainable vision. Ready to deal with the future and with the people at the center. We will unite together to face various challenges. Which is believed to be able to achieve common goals in light of the creative partnership approach for a sustainable future
The Prime Minister said he would like to propose three points of cooperation as follows: First, Thailand is ready to promote trade and investment smoothly. By reducing trade and investment barriers between each other – prepare to push for the establishment of an ASEAN-GCC Business Forum to enhance cooperation between the business sectors of the two regions. Thailand is ready to negotiate a free trade agreement between Thailand and the Gulf Cooperation Council (Thai-GCC FTA) in order to increase the value of trade between them to 40 billion US dollars, and at the same time be the kitchen of the world. Thailand is ready to exchange experiences in the field of agriculture and food innovation. Preparing to face the challenges of food security. We are also ready to cooperate with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the field of science and standards in halal food production.
Secondly, Thailand is ready to promote sustainable development and energy transition and with the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, Thailand is also ready to promote green and sustainable financial mechanisms, the Prime Minister said. Through the issuance of sustainable green bonds, Thailand is pleased that the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council participate in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals together.
The Prime Minister said Thailand also proposes cooperation between the GCC countries and the Bangkok-based ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD). By exchanging common practices and experiences, especially energy use, to achieve maximum efficiency. The use of clean energy, including enhancing the environment in the use of electric vehicles.
The Prime Minister also said that finally strengthening cooperation and relations at the people-to-people level. Thailand, including ASEAN, is ready to receive tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to the ASEAN region. For Thailand: Thailand aims to double the number of tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries from about 300,000 over the next two years. Thailand specializes in health and wellness tourism, and many Thais speak Arabic. This will be beneficial to healthcare in the GCC countries and be ready to exchange expertise and experiences. Especially medical management, tourism management and health tourism
The Prime Minister also called for building on the shared desire for peace, stability and prosperity. Thailand is saddened by the violence that led to the loss. There were deaths, including 30 Thais, which called on all parties to come together to end the violence. Solving problems through peaceful means using negotiation and diplomacy on the basis of resolving problems between the two countries. We call on all parties to end the violence in the Middle East. The hostages should be released immediately and unconditionally
Finally, the Prime Minister said that the results of this meeting should also be sustained through continued cooperation. There is a concrete follow-up of the results of the discussions.
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