Summary of Weekly Press Briefing by

Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA

1 May 2025 at 14.00 hrs. at Press Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and MFA FB/TikTok Live

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs’ participation at the BRICS Partnership Session during the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• On 29 April 2025, the Foreign Minister attended the BRICS Partnership Session during the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the invitation of Mr. Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. The meeting was held under the theme “Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism.”
• In sum, the meeting discussed the role of developing countries in strengthening multilateralism. The meeting also exchanged views on the current geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges and how to promote cooperation between member states and BRICS partner countries in various dimensions. These include trade, investment, finance, climate change responses, public health, and AI governance.
• On this occasion, the Foreign Minister delivered a statement reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to advancing cooperation with BRICS countries, which Thailand views as high potential markets. In fact, BRICS includes Thailand’s top three tourism markets (China, India, and Russia), and others with which Thailand sees opportunities to expand cooperation with. The Foreign Minister also underlined in particular, cooperation on sustainable development, education, public health, climate change response, and business connectivity between Thailand and BRICS.
• On this occasion, the Foreign Minister also had bilateral discussions with
  his counterparts from Brazil the host, China, Russia, and Ethiopia.
  • For the discussion with Brazil - Thailand is ready to expand bilateral cooperation with Brazil in various fields for mutual benefit, such as in the area of food security, public health, agriculture, and green energy transition.
  • For the discussion with China - Thailand and China are addressing a number of issues that require consistent and close cooperation, from combating transnational crime, to trade and investment, transportation projects, and regional cooperation such as within the context of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Framework.
  • For the discussion with Russia - another important player in BRICS. It was an opportunity to underline the importance of advancing with an FTA between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union and to discuss expanding cooperation in tourism and culture.
  • For the discussion with Ethiopia - The Foreign Minister welcomed Ethiopia’s confirmation to participate in the first Thailand Development Forum for Africa from 11-16 May 2025 in Bangkok, to which Thailand has invited high-level representatives from 15 African countries. The two sides also discussed the importance of facilitating the repatriation of Ethiopians who were lured into working in Myanmar at scam centers. Thus far, 135 Ethiopians have been safely repatriated back to their country.

• In addition to the BRICS meeting, the Foreign Minister also launched the MUAYTHAI MASTER CLASS activity in Rio de Janeiro. This activity was a collaboration between the Subcommittee on the Promotion of the Sports Industry, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassy in Brasilia, and the Brazilian Muay Thai Federation. The activity was well attended by over 300 participants interested in enhancing their skills and learning new techniques from well-known MuayThai trainers.

2. Official Visit to Thailand of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and the 10th Joint Commission Meeting between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Indonesia

• On 2 May 2025, Foreign Minister Maris will welcome H.E. Mr. Sugiono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, who is scheduled to pay an official visit to Thailand. Both Ministers will co-chair the 10th Joint Commission (JC) Meeting  between Thailand and Indonesia at Shangri-La Bangkok.
• This visit is part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
• The Joint Commission Meeting aims to review and follow up on the cooperation between Thailand and Indonesia in all dimensions as well as to discuss the direction of future cooperation, in the areas of politics and security, economy, social and cultural aspect, development and academic collaboration, and also cooperation in multilateral frameworks.
• Additionally, this visit will also pave the way for the upcoming official visit to Thailand of President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, where both sides are scheduled to announce the elevation of relations between the two countries.
• On 2 May 2025, during 5.00 - 5.15 p.m., the two Foreign Ministers will hold a joint press conference at Ballroom 2, Shangri-La Bangkok

3. The 2025 OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum in Bangkok

• During 1 - 3 May 2025, H.E. Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is visiting Thailand, as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will attend the 7th OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum, jointly hosted by Thailand and the OECD on 2 May 2025 in Bangkok, under the theme “The OECD and Southeast Asia: Partnership for Prosperity.” Foreign Minister Maris will deliver opening remarks at the Forum, and together with Secretary - General Cormann.
• The Southeast Asia Regional Forum is an important event under the OECD’s Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP), which Thailand jointly established in 2014. This will be Thailand’s third time as host, where we look forward to sharing the success stories from cooperation with OECD, to enhance the collaboration between OECD and the countries of Southeast Asia.
• Thailand began its process for accession to the OECD in late 2024. This process will elevate competitiveness of the country and our private sector, income levels, and quality employment, as well as advance the quality of life for the Thai people in the long term.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DvSLuLmg6/

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