Building on Knowledge, Sharing Experiences, and Strengthening Partnerships for People-Centered Development

On 16 October 2026, Ms. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), together with a delegation, held discussions with executives and visited the JICA Tokyo Center, the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, and JICA Global Plaza in Tokyo, Japan. The visit aimed to exchange knowledge, experiences, and good practices that could contribute to the further advancement of international development cooperation.

At the JICA Tokyo Center, the TICA delegation met with Mr. IWASAKI Akihiro, Deputy Director General for Human Resource Development and Operational Coordination, along with executives from the JICA Tokyo Center and JICA Headquarters. Discussions focused on promoting public participation and building cooperation networks with Japanese civil society, including citizens, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, and local governments. The exchange also covered support for Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in developing countries, as well as project risk management and evaluation. These insights will help TICA apply relevant knowledge and practices to enhance the effectiveness of Thailand’s development cooperation, ensuring that it better responds to people’s needs while advancing Thailand’s national interests.

At the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, the TICA delegation met with Mr. KATAI Keiji, Deputy Director General, to exchange perspectives on development research and analysis. JICA presented its Human Security Dashboard, a tool that consolidates data on partner countries across four dimensions of human security: survival, livelihood, dignity, and the environment. The tool is designed to provide a more comprehensive assessment of human security conditions. On this occasion, both sides exchanged views on emerging trends, the accuracy of the data, and the limitations of applying this tool to international development cooperation.

In addition, JICA guided the TICA delegation on a visit to JICA Global Plaza, a learning center dedicated to Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The center is open to the Japanese public, particularly young people, and provides opportunities to learn about the meaning of development cooperation, the development challenges faced by other countries, and JICA’s work in addressing these challenges. Through a variety of exhibits, including still images, videos, and scale models, the center uses engaging, cartoon-style visual communication to capture young people’s interest. By connecting the stories of people around the world with everyday life, the exhibits make complex development issues easier to understand and relate to in practical, tangible ways.

The discussions and knowledge exchange underscored that meaningful development cooperation goes beyond sharing knowledge; it involves translating knowledge into practical action to create opportunities, improve quality of life, and empower people to participate in shaping a better future together. This approach provides an essential foundation for sustainable development in both countries and the international community as a whole.