On 5 June 2025, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA), the International Study Center (ISC), and Casa Asia, through the support of the Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid and the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok, co-hosted the 3rd Thailand - Spain Forum at the Ministry.

Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Luis Fonseca, Director-General for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, as the Head of the Delegation during Thailand -Spain Political Consultations, delivered opening remarks. Mrs. Thitiporn Chirasawadi, Director of the DVIFA, and Mr. José Pintor Aguilar, Director-General of Casa Asia, delivered welcoming remarks.

Thailand - Spain Forum is a track 1.5 mechanism aiming to promote academic cooperation and cordial relations between Thailand and Spain. This year’s Forum was successfully held under the theme, “Sustainability: Opportunities and Challaenges.” It comprised academic discussions on 3 interconnected topics of

(1) “Climate Change: A Human Security Dimension,” which highlighted the impact of environmental change on human well-being and security,

(2) “Circular Economy: Upcycling and Recycling,” which focused on the promotion of circular economic models through the support of innovative technologies, and

(3) “The Future of Sustainable Development: the Role of Community and Youth,” which underscored the importance of inclusiveness and grassroots participation in shaping a sustainable future.

In addition to high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai authorities concerned, the Forum was also attended by H.E. Mr. Felipe de la Morena Casado, Ambassador of Spain to Thailand, and members of the diplomatic corps from ASEAN and EU member countries as well as their Latin counterparts, with the total of about 100 participants.

In addition, there were also exhibition boots from Chak Daeng Temple, which transforms PET plastic bottles into monk robes under the “Transforming Waste into Merit Project,” the RX Group, which upcycles aluminum blister packs into building blocks under the “Blister Packs for the Planet Project,” CHAAUM Studio, which repurposes discarded cement bags and vinyl banners into fashion and lifestyle products, as well as HORMESA (Thailand) Co., Ltd., showcasing expertise in metal and aluminum recycling.