Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, at the 38th Session of the Organization of Islamic Conference Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC CFM 38) in Astana, Kazakhstan on 28 June 2011made a statement declaring that Thailand has been successful in fulfilling pledges made to the OIC last year and will continue to work closely with the OIC.
The Foreign Minister recalled his statement at OIC CFM last year in Dushanbe, which announced that Thai Muslim citizens in the Southern Border Provinces (SBPs) of Thailand would be on the top of the list of priorities for the Thai Government. Since then, empowerment of people at the local level began with the SBP Administration Act which was passed by the Thai Parliament on 30 December 2010. The Act establishes institutions as well as an action plan which address the socio-economic grievances of all Thais living in the Southern region by ensuring the critical factors of high-level government participation coupled with people’s involvement in the decision-making process.
In addition, the statement noted that Thailand’s democratization process has occurred at every level and every Thai citizen possesses the right to participate at both national and local politics. Not only will the national elections be held on 3 July 2011, but at the local level, every village, town and province also has a council elected by the people.
Regarding future cooperation with the OIC, the Foreign Minister reiterated Thailand’s determination to keep the OIC informed of developments in the SBPs. He further expressed Thailand’s wish to expand cooperation with the OIC to cover education, culture, poverty alleviation and food security.
CFM 38 also agreed to rename the OIC to Organization of Islamic Cooperation and also adopted a new emblem. Since Thailand became one of the present 4 OIC observer states on 1 October 1998, Thailand has sent representation to most high level OIC meetings. Thailand’s cooperation with the OIC is wide-ranging, covering education, culture, science, trade and industry, and technical cooperation. The OIC was established in 1971, comprises 57 member states, and has a General Secretariat based in Saudi Arabia.
(Click here to view full statement)
http://www.mfa.go.th/internet/information/27681.pdf
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