On 31 May 2024, Mr. Piroon Laismit, the Executive Director of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) together with APCD officials paid a courtesy call on Mr. Wattanawit Gajaseni, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) on the occasion of his assumption of duty.  Ms. Pin Sridurongkatum, Secretary of TICA, Ms. Chidchanok Malayawong, Director of Development Promotion and Coordinator Division, and TICA officials were also present at the meeting room 2, TICA office.

On this occasion, both sides discussed ways to strengthen the development cooperation between APCD and TICA with an emphasis on inclusive development that leaves no one behind. Both sides also aimed to promote APCD to be a regional training hub. Furthermore, both sides agreed to explore the possibility to develop a training programme for person with disabilities on the topic relating to Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Director-General of TICA invited APCD to submit proposals for consideration for organizing the Annual International Training Course (AITC) which TICA will prepare Three-Year Human Resource Development Programme for other developing countries covering AITC from 2026 - 2028 and will open for proposals from various Thai agencies in 2025.  Lastly, the Executive Director of APCD expressed his appreciation to the Director-General of TICA for continued support to APCD and bridging APCD with other development partners which are vital to the Center’s success.

APCD is a regional center which focuses on empowering person with disabilities in both Thailand and countries in Asia and Pacific. Through organizing trainings, TICA works in partnership with APCD to develop important knowledge and skills and promote better and sustainable living for persons with disabilities. For example, recently TICA in partnership with APCD and Japan. International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted the Third Country Training Program (TCTP) on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) in the ASEAN Region, organized in Bangkok and Chiang Rai Province during 14-17 January 2024.