The Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, as Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) SOM Leader for Thailand and the ASEAN Coordinator for ASEM, strengthened multilateralism for the Post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery and enhanced social and cultural connectivity, during the ASEM Senior Officials’ Meeting Retreat in preparation for the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM 13).

On 1-2 March 2021, Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, the Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, in her capacity as Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) SOM Leader for Thailand and the ASEAN Coordinator for ASEM, co-chaired the Asian Coordination Meeting and attended the ASEM Senior Officials’ Meeting Retreat via videoconference, in preparation for the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM 13) to be held by the end of 2021 in Cambodia.

The Meetings discussed the organisation of events related to ASEM 13 and the drafting of outcome documents. Asia and Europe reaffirmed the need to advance multilateralism as a means to tackle world’s current challenges, to support the post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery efforts, and to enhance connectivity between the two regions, including social and cultural links.

In addition, ASEM Senior Officials commemorated the 25th anniversary of ASEM on ASEM Day, which falls on March 1. Thailand takes pride in being a part of this achievement, as it hosted the first ASEM Summit on 1 March 1996 and has continued to support the ASEM process.

Currently, ASEM comprises 51 partner countries and 2 institutional partners - the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.

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