Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai has emphasized ASEAN central strategic role in working with major powers in building trust and confidence in the Asia Pacific.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the 28th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) via a videoconference on 6 August 2021.
During the meeting, he highlighted the importance of strengthening confidence building measures and cooperation in the region, especially in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak and health security.
He pointed out that access to safe and effective vaccines is a matter of urgency. Vaccine diplomacy should be all about humanitarian assistance, not as an instrument that intensifies the strategic competition of major powers.
He also suggested that the ARF could serve as a platform to discuss pressing regional issues frankly and constructively, which can lead to practical cooperation. In this context, Thailand will co-chair the ARF Seminar on Marine Debris with the United States and China during 2021-2022 and the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament with the United States and Sri Lanka in 2022-2024.
The 28th ARF Meeting discussed the future direction of the ARF; adopted the List of Track I Activities, the Joint Statement to Promote the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda at the ARF, and the ARF Work Plan for Disaster Relief (2021-2023); and noted the ARF Annual Security Outlook 2021.
It also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, South China Sea, situation in Myanmar, situation on the Korean Peninsula, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, cybersecurity, combating terrorism, climate change, Question of Palestine, and conflict in Afghanistan.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department