On 3 December 2025, H.E. Mr. Chettaphan Maksamphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, delivered opening remarks at the 7^th Asia-Pacific Directors General Forum for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, held under the theme “Harnessing South-South Cooperation for Inclusive Societies in Asia and the Pacific.” The forum was co-hosted by Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) from 2-4 December 2025 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary emphasized Thailand’s proactive role in advancing development cooperation, as reflected through Thailand’s continued co-hosting of the forum with ESCAP over the years. He noted that this year’s theme underscores the importance of inclusive social development, and highlighted that South-South and Triangular Cooperation serves as a key mechanism enabling countries to exchange knowledge and to apply them within their own development contexts.

On this occasion, the Deputy Permanent Secretary also hosted a Welcome Reception for the forum participants at the Asawin Grand Convention Hotel, following a study visit organized by TICA to Baan Mankong Project (Pracharuamjai 1 Community) along the Prem Prachakorn Canal in Chatuchak District, to learn about housing development and efforts to improve the quality of life of low-income communities. During the reception, the Deputy Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to work closely with all sectors in development cooperation in order to jointly drive inclusive and innovative social development, as well as to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.