On 15 November 2023, Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) attended the 7th APPC Side Event “Addressing the implications of demographic change: population ageing, low fertility and harnessing the demographic dividend of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines”, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).  The objective of the event is for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines to share the good practices on demographic changes and policies to respond and prepare for such changes with participants of the APCC. The knowledge exchange aimed to manage demographic risks such as low fertility and ageing society.

Representing the Director-General of TICA, the Deputy Director-General delivered opening remarks for the event together with H.E. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. She emphasized the importance of sustainable development and reaffirmed the Agency’s priority which was to strengthen human security in 4 aspects namely food, health, employment and environment along with energy. For health sector, TICA shared Thailand’s experiences on population such as the national policy on family planning, adolescent pregnancy and readiness for ageing society to many countries.  She highlighted TICA-UNFPA strategic partnership to foster knowledge sharing on population and public health.

The UNFPA representative for Thailand extended thanks to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines for co-organizing the event and exchanging invaluable knowledge to manage the issue of demographic change. Moreover, he underscored the significance of sharing knowledge and good practices under the South-South and Triangular Cooperation in order to promote collaboration in such matter among developing countries.