On 4 July 2025, Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, participated in the panel discussion entitled "Innovation Ecosystem and National Competitiveness in the Face of Global Uncertainties” at the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2025 (SITE 2025), together with Ambassadors and representatives of European and South American countries in Thailand, namely Czechia, Finland, Sweden, Chile, and Hungary at Siam Paragon Bangkok.

The panelists exchanged views and experiences on how each country established their innovation ecosystems to increase economic competitiveness in the era of global uncertainties. They also identified challenges and opportunities to foster partnerships with Thailand. Director-General Krongkanit emphasised the roles of the Department of European Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassies/Consulates-General in strengthening partnership with Europe, a region globally recognised for its leading position in innovation, green transition, and digital transformation, in order to exchange best practices and jointly establish a stronger innovation ecosystem with Thailand. This partnership is in line with Thailand's foreign policy and national goals to achieve SDGs, carbon neutrality and net zero by 2050 and 2065 respectively, as well as to overcome the middle-income trap by accelerating the development of technology and innovation.

The Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo is an annual event hosted by the National Innovation Agency (NIA) since 2020 and considered the biggest innovation and startup expo in Thailand. The event this year is organised under the theme "Global Innovation Partnership (AI & Sustainability: the Next Era of Innovation)" and features over 30 panel discussions, 300 exhibitions by startups and innovation entrepreneurs, and 100 pitching sessions by startups in AI, Sustainability, and Deep Tech.