Summary of Press Briefing on the briefing to the diplomatic corps 
and international organisations by the Minister of Foreign Affairs 
on the 47^th ASEAN Summit and the 32^nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Week

by the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

on 23 September 2025 at 14:30 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

• The purpose of the briefing today was to inform the diplomatic corps of the key outcomes and Thailand’s active participation at the 47^th ASEAN Summit, held during 26 - 28 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the 32^nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, during 29 October - 1 November 2025 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, as well as further advance issues of shared interest with the international community.
• In attendance were ambassadors and representatives from 68 countries, 1 organization, and 6 international organizations, totaling 100

1. Overview

• The ASEAN Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting were the Prime Minister’s first international engagements since assuming office, providing an opportunity to introduce himself and key government policies, as well as his vision in addressing the various challenges currently facing the global community.
• Despite the government’s limited time in office, it has set a goal to do more than address short-term problems by seeking to create transformative outcomes that lay foundations for Thailand’s future – one that is secure, stable, inclusive, and sustainable.
• Thailand’s participation in these meetings was not only aimed at advancing its own agenda, but also at demonstrating its commitment to working with the international community to address regional and global challenges, such as transnational crime, demographic structural change, digital transition, and sustainable and inclusive development.
• Regional and international forums such as ASEAN and APEC demonstrate the importance of regionalism and pluralism, emphasizing that no single country can address regional or global challenges alone.
• The key issues advanced by Thailand in both platforms include:
  • Regional peace and security: Thailand and Cambodia signed a Joint Declaration reflecting both sides’ commitment to ending the conflict and rebuilding diplomatic relations. On another very important issue which is Myanmar, Thailand supports the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and efforts to strengthen the role of the Special Envoy on Myanmar, while noting that the upcoming election in Myanmar will take place this December;
  • Human Security: Thailand attaches great importance to combating online scams and cybercrime, and proposed to host an international conference on transnational crime to promote prevention, enforcement, protection and victim assistance, coordination, information-sharing and capacity-building to effectively address these challenges; and
  • Sustainable Development: Thailand promoted cooperation in digital transformation, digital economy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, as well as food security, clean energy, and green transition guided by human-centered approach.

2. The 47^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits

• ASEAN remains the cornerstone of Thailand’s foreign policy. This Summit marked a historic moment for ASEAN Community building as Timor-Leste was welcomed as the 11^th full member.
• ASEAN was able to bring together ASEAN Leaders and Leaders of ASEAN’s strategic partners, such as the U.S., China, India, Japan, the ROK, Australia, New Zealand, as well as the EU, Canada, Brazil, and South Africa, who reiterated their commitment to ASEAN centrality and to work with ASEAN in areas of common interest. This demonstrates the convening power of ASEAN to push for our agenda for peace, stability and prosperity.
• Under Malaysia’s Chairmanship themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Thailand positioned itself as “A key strategic player for advancing peace, prosperity and development.”
• Key priorities advanced by Thailand include:
  • Combating transnational crime: Thailand proposed to host the aforesaid international conference aimed at combating online scams. Positive responses were received from the U.S., China, Canada, the ROK and Australia, as well as ASEAN members;
  • Promoting green and digital transition: Thailand advanced a financing framework for clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure. We advocated for an early conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), for which Thailand currently serves as Chair of the negotiating committee;
  • Advancing the sustainability agenda: The meeting endorsed Thailand’s proposed Complementarities Initiative 2.0 that connects the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and
  • Addressing transboundary issues: such as PM 2.5 pollution, pandemics and natural disasters.

3. The 32^nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Week

• Thailand presented forward-looking and creative economy policies aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive growth, while underscoring our commitment to multilateralism and the promotion of free and rules-based trade.
• Thailand’s key priorities at APEC included:
  • Combating transnational crime: Thailand reaffirmed the proposal at the ASEAN Summit to convene an international meeting, working in tandem with the Online Scams Information Exchange Forum established under the APEC framework in 2023;
  • Promoting green and digital transition: including cooperation on AI governance, the development of a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem, and the implementation of the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy – Thailand’s flagship initiative during our APEC host year in 2022;
  • Working with the private sector: Thailand emphasized 3 key areas of cooperation, namely promoting digital collaboration, enhancing ease of doing business, and strengthening regional supply chains;
  • Promoting a business-friendly ecosystem: through regulatory improvements, workforce development, and innovation-driven growth. This includes promoting future industries through pilot projects under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Sandbox.
• At the APEC CEO Summit, the Prime Minister also shared Thailand’s “Quick Big Wins” policy to ensure inclusive and sustainable transformation by (1) reducing household burden and stimulating domestic spending; (2) enhancing business opportunities and access to financing, especially for SME; and (3) developing future industries in partnership with leading global companies.

4. Bilateral meetings

• During both meetings, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister had bilateral discussions with leaders, ministers and high-level representatives of countries, international organizations and private sectors, totaling 15 countries, 3 international organizations, and over 20 companies. Examples include:
  • The meeting with the Prime Minister of Cambodia on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit: This was the first time that the leaders of both countries held direct talks since July. Thailand emphasized the importance of sincere implementation of the four agreed measures, namely (1) the withdrawal of heavy weapons; (2) humanitarian demining; (3) combating transnational crime, particularly online scams; and (4) the management of border areas. We have seen some progress in these areas as updated yesterday by the team of Spokespersons of the Government, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces, and the Police at their press conference at the Government House.
  • The meeting with the President of the United States: Both countries (1) signed an MoU Concerning Cooperation to Diversify Global Critical Mineral Supply Chains and Promote Investments, which will enable Thailand to be part of the global supply chain and facilitate exchange of expertise and technology transfer; and (2) issued a Joint Statement on a Framework for a U.S. - Thailand Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, and in this regard, Thailand requested that the United States consider granting favorable import tariffs for Thai products, for which President Trump promised to consider this matter positively.
  • The meeting with the President of China: As we continue to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Thailand–China relations this year, both sides committed to further enhancing relations in all dimensions, including in combating online scams, and welcomed the signing of the ASEAN–China FTA 3.0, which focuses on a future-oriented economy, digital economy and green economy. In this regard, Thailand expressed appreciation to China for its discerning role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Thai–Cambodian border situation.
  • The meeting with the President of the ROK, during which Thailand advanced closer cooperation in trade and investment, the early conclusion of the Thailand–ROK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), enhanced coordination in suppression of online scams, and the increase of labor quotas for Thai workers.

• In both meetings, Thailand actively advanced issues of our immediate interests. Thailand also presented its vision on various issues of global concern and reaffirmed its readiness to contribute to addressing these challenges.
• All these efforts have been well received by the international community. This is a recognition of Thailand’s constructive role, which has brought Thailand back on the global radar screen.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiMFA