Thailand hosts 4th TPIF

BANGKOK, May 20 (TNA) -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted the 4th Thailand –Pacific Island Countries Forum (TPIF) this weekend on May 20-21 under the theme “Thailand – Pacific Island Countries: Putting Ideas to Action Towards Sustainable Development”. Mr Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony today at Hotel Amari Watergate. Mr Don has extended invitations to delegations from 14 Pacific Island Countries most of whom are attending the 73rd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Meeting. Observers from Australia and New Zealand Embassies along with other International Organizations such as FAO, UNDP, WHO, and the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat are also invited to participate in the platform to achieve its aim of promoting the framework of development cooperation between Thailand and the countries in South Pacific region. The 4th TPIF will be a high – level meeting aims to maintain the positive momentum of Thailand – Pacific Islands relations and build on partnership and cooperation through concrete actions focusing on areas that will significantly contribute to the development of Thailand’s Pacific Island partners, as well as to exchange views on sustainable and social development in order to further promote future cooperation. This year, delegations will have the opportunity to visit one of the biggest industrial parks in Thailand at Wyncoast Industrial Park (PLC) and learn about sustainable agricultural development at one of the Royal Development Project (The Agricultural Experimentation Project of Two Water). Being one of the twelve dialogue partners in the Post – Forum Dialogue (PFD) and an active participant of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Thailand has enjoyed cordial ties with Pacific Island partners in both bilateral and multilateral levels. Thailand has been a long – standing development partner of this region through development cooperation programmes, particularly on agricultural and fisheries, as well as human resources development. Thailand reiterates its commitment to this region in sharing experiences and best practices in the areas that will most contribute to the sustainable development and prosperity of Thailand’s Pacific Island partners in the spirit of South –South Cooperation. (TNA)