On 8 February 2022, Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), met with Mr. Renaud Meyer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Thailand, and UNDP country team members. Mr. Cheevindh Nathalang, Deputy Director-General was also present at the meeting.

Both sides exchanged views on development cooperation in various sectors. UNDP commended Thailand for the success in applying Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainable Development Goals (SEP for SDGs), and implementing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as well as Community-based Tourism (CBT).

Both sides also discussed opportunities for future cooperation particularly in potential areas such as South-South and triangular cooperation, collaboration within ACMECS regional cooperation framework, various volunteer programs, including Friends from Thailand program (FFT program) through capacity building, knowledge and experience sharing. Such cooperation will help enhance Thailand’s role in international development cooperation and increase partnership with UNDP towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On this occasion, both sides concurred that youths and volunteers have contributed to international development cooperation. Per TICA’s proposal, UNDP expressed its readiness to welcome Thai volunteers under FFT program for a study visit to UNDP to exchange knowledge and experience on volunteer program and development.