Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura (Photo: VNA)The Thai diplomat made the statement in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of major international conferences hosted by regional countries,including the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and RelatedMeetings (in Cambodia from November 10-13), the G20 Summit (in Indonesia fromNovember 15-16), and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (in Thailand from November18-19).
Following is the full text of the interview:
Reporter: This year,Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand are hosting major international conferences.Could you tell me the coordination between Thailand, as the APEC 2022 Chair; Indonesia, as the G20 President; and Cambodia, as the ASEAN Chair, topromote the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery?
Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura: First of all, it is certainlyheartening that three Southeast Asian nations are hosting these majorinternational conferences during the same time, and in-person. It is anoutstanding reflection on how our region has handled the pandemic, as well asthe effectiveness of our efforts toward post-COVID recovery.
In terms of coordination between Thailand, Indonesia, andCambodia, to promote the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery, this commondirection is not necessarily intentional but also not a coincidence. It isindicative of the shared outlook of all three countries, and the world, that weneed to move forward together toward the ‘next normal’, where public health andhuman security, regional and global economic integration, and prosperity thatis driven by sustainability and balance are prioritised.
If you look at the themes for each conference, you will seethat they all share these common values, though may place emphasis on differentthings, depending on regional interests and contexts. For instance, Thailand’stheme for APEC 2022, is “Open. Connect. Balance,” led by the Bio-Circular-Green(BCG) Economy Model, which aims to facilitate open trade and investment,restore connectivity through safe and seamless cross-border travel and increasehealth security investment for further business mobility, and integrateinclusivity and sustainability objectives into economic goals to create balanceand resilience.
Reporter: What arethe initiatives and proposals made by Thailand to realise ASEAN's 2022 chairmanshiptheme of “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together” in the spirit ofsolidarity for shared prosperity? What should ASEAN do to promote ASEANcentrality in regional connectivity?
Ambassador NikorndejBalankura: Thailand believes that to realise the theme of “ASEAN A.C.T.:Addressing Challenges Together”, it is essential to drive forward a strongASEAN Community, which can be done in three ways. First, ASEAN member statesmust strengthen today’s foundations through the effective implementation of theASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, especially when it comes to publichealth and human security promotion.
Thailand stands ready to contribute meaningfully to thisend, as host of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and EmergingDiseases (ACPHEED) Secretariat Office and Response Office. ASEAN must alsoaccelerate the deepening of regional economic integration and strengtheneconomic relations with its partners.
Second, ASEAN must work together for tomorrow, prioritisingsustainability in all of ASEAN’s strategies, including in its ASEAN CommunityVision Post-2025. Third is the respect for the ASEAN Way.
The key principles of cooperation, consultation, andconsensus within ASEAN must be adhered to, in order to drive forward the ASEANCommunity, foster ASEAN centrality, and shield ASEAN against outsideintervention.
Reporter: Thailandhas been promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy strategy. How would theconcept be introduced to the upcoming ASEAN conferences to increase businessopportunities after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Ambassador NikorndejBalankura: The Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model integratesbioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy to form a more holistic andbalanced approach to advancing economic, environmental, and social goals. Atits core, the BCG Economy Model promotes a shift in behaviour toward a “balanceof all things” so that we may grow and prosper while emphasising balance andsustainability over profit-maximisation.
This is a concept that Thailand has already introduced toASEAN as we believe that sustainability must be integrated into all aspects ofASEAN’s work. Science, technology, and innovation are key in the application ofthe BCG Economy Model and therefore, may lead to many business opportunities,especially in e-commerce and digital economy.
Reporter: How do youthink about Vietnam’s engagement in and contributions to building an equal,strong and inclusive ASEAN community for harmony, peace and prosperity in theregion?
Ambassador NikorndejBalankura: Vietnam has always made meaningful contributions to building anequal, strong, and inclusive ASEAN community for harmony, peace, and prosperityin the region.
During Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, under thetheme of “Cohesive and Responsive”, Vietnam emphasised the importance of ASEANsolidarity and centrality, strong and constructive engagement with ASEANpartners, and strengthening connectivity, whether in terms of economicintegration through the signing of the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) or building and enhancing ASEAN mechanisms to be moreproactive, especially when facing regional and global challenges.
These are stances that Vietnam still places at theforefront of its vision for ASEAN, which points to Vietnam’s consistency anddedication toward a prosperous ASEAN Community for our region.
Reporter: Thank youvery much!./.
VNA
