Thailand will play host to the Third Asia-Middle East Ministerial Meeting (AMEDIII) to be convened under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation towards Common Prosperity” from 15 to 16 December 2010 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. Over 500 participants from AMED member countries including ministerial-level delegates, business people and non-government sectors will attend the Meeting, which is considered one of the largest ever gatherings of so many Ministers from Asia and the Middle East. AMED is regarded as another important platform to forge, foster and reinforce the ties and mutually-beneficial cooperation between Asia and the Middle East.
Crucial issues to be discussed at the plenary and panel discussions will cover a wide range of political, economic, and social matters. Those discussions aim to find ways to strengthen and expand cooperation between member countries in order to tackle those pressing concerns and daunting challenges Asia and the Middle East are facing, ranging from terrorism, piracy and maritime security, economic crisis and business opportunities in the two regions, to climate change.
As for Thailand, other than being a good opportunity to consolidate its ties with countries in Asia and the Middle East, hosting this Meeting will expose the public and private sectors, as well as the civil society not only to Islam and the Islamic World, but also allow Thai people to learn and gain a better understanding of the cultures, traditions, and peoples of the Middle East as a whole. Besides, organizing such an important meeting in Thailand has several significant benefits. In addition to a boon to the local economy, Thailand will have a good opportunity to showcase its potentials and assets to the world such as Thailand’s position as Asia’s breadbasket, medical hub and health tourism, and prime tourist destination which in turn will certainly boost investors’ confidence in Thailand, attract more foreign investment, increase trade volumes and place Thailand as a favorite tourist destination.
AMED is consisted of members from fifty participants in Asia and the Middle East. The ministerial meeting is held biennially in venues alternating between Asia and the Middle East. The inaugural session of AMED took place in Singapore in 2005, with AMED II being held in Egypt in 2008. The working principle of AMED is voluntary, informal and flexible. AMED participants include not only government officials but also private sectors, scholars and non-governmental organizations. Outcome documents of AMED will be in the form of non-binding policy recommendations that will be submitted to the participating governments for their consideration.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th