On 29 October 2024, Mrs. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General, Acting Director-General, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General, TICA, participated in the Japan’s 70th Anniversary of Official Development Assistance (ODA) Seminar under the theme of “Creating Tomorrow Together” hosted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Thailand Office at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok. Ms. Chidchanok Malayawong, Director of Development Promotion and Coordination Division, and TICA staff also participated in the seminar.   

At the opening session of the seminar, Mrs. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General and Acting Director-General of TICA, as well as H.E. Mr. Masato OTAKA, Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, and Ms. Katsura MIYAZAKI, Executive Senior Vice President of JICA delivered opening and welcome remarks.  In addition, H.E. Mr. Arkom Termpittayapaisith, former Minister of Transport and former Minister of Finance, who is a special advisor to JICA Thailand, also gave the keynote speech.  In her remarks, Acting Director-General of TICA extended her congratulations on 137 years of diplomatic relationship between Thailand and Japan, which has evolved into today’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). She also reiterated the importance of Japan’s development assistance over the past 7 decades, particularly infrastructure and human resource development (HRD), which has undeniably contributed to Thailand’s rapid growth. As Thailand values partnership for development between both countries, she reaffirmed TICA’s commitment to work with JICA and all parties to address development challenges in the future collectively.  

Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of TICA, participated in a panel discussion titled “Japan’s ODA: the Past, Present, and Future with Thailand”.  The Public Debt Advisor of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), the Director of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and Prof. Dr. Siriporn Wajjwalku from the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University, also joined as speakers.  Deputy Director-General of TICA extended her appreciation of Japan’s active role and continued support over the past 70 years.  She reaffirmed Japan’s significance as Thailand’s core partner, especially in addressing regional challenges, particularly climate change, an ageing society, and digital transformation, aiming to achieve sustainable development goals. Moreover, as Thailand has expressed its intension to join the OECD, Thailand welcomed Japan’s support, advice, and guidance, given Japan’s extensive experience as a long-time OECD member, to help Thailand achieve its goals to enhance its competitiveness and quality of life and support constructive regional cooperation.