On 2 August 2024 at 09.00 hrs., Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) organized the workshop on “Exploring Potential Development Cooperation Areas between Thailand and SIDS/participating Member States” at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
In the workshop, Mrs. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General of TICA, delivered the opening remarks followed by the discussion moderated by Lt. Sorawud Preededilok, Minister attached to TICA. H.E. Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations also attended the workshop to hear the perspectives of the participants from the Permanent Missions in New York.

This workshop provided a platform for the participants to exchange views on areas of cooperation that the SIDS countries are interested in and wish to explore extending collaboration with Thailand. The areas mentioned include capacity building for Aruba Centre of Excellence for the Sustainable Development of SIDS and bilateral cooperation with members of SIDS. In addition, Thailand stands ready to arrange short-term training courses and organize workshops with SIDS on topics that SIDS are interested in, such as (1) climate change, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction. (2) application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to address development challenges in SIDS (3) formation of Thailand – SIDS university network to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices, and (4) food security.

After the workshop, the SIDS Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations paid a courtesy call on HE. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. Following the courtesy call, the Vice Minister hosted a luncheon in honor of the SIDS Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations.

Later, in the afternoon, the SIDS Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations participated in a roundtable discussion on “the Impacts of Climate Change and Natural Disasters on Human Rights: Lessons Learnt and Way Forward”, which underscored the importance of environmental cooperation, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and financial support in the form of the Loss and Damage Fund for developing countries to cope with the impacts of climate change.