From 13 — 14 February 2012, Thailand will host the 2012 OSCE - Thailand Conference on “Strengthening Security through Regional Cooperation: the OSCE Comprehensive Approach and Experiences of Asian Partners for Co-operation” at Le Meridien Hotel Chiang Mai, Thailand. Thailand has been an Asian Partner for Cooperation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) since the year 2000. Thailand is honoured to host the annual OSCE - Asian Partner Conference, where Asian Partner Countries take turn hosting each year.
The Conference will give the participants an opportunity to listen to high-level guest speakers as well as exchange views, in order to share experiences on Confidence Building Measures under the OSCE. The Conference is divided into three sessions.
Session 1: “Enhancing regional security through confidence-and-security building measures and co-operation in addressing transnational threats,” will focus on confidence building measures in the region, challenges in responding to transnational threats and developing an Asia - Pacific security architecture.
Session 2: “Strengthening regional security through dialogue and co operation for promotion of sustainable transport and energy security,” discussions will include intensification of regional and international co operation in the areas of transport and energy security and promoting good governance.
Session 3: Exchange of views on protecting and promoting human rights, rule of law and democracy at the national and regional levels, as well as the promotion of democracy, freedom of the media, freedom of the internet and digital media.
Mr. Chalermpol Thanchitt, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Thailand will preside over the Opening Session of the Conference on 13th February at 09.15 hrs. and the Conference will end on 14th February at 13.00 hrs.
The conference will be attended by many high level dignitaries, such as Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary General; Mr. Lamberto Zannier, OSCE Secretary General; Mr. Evaldas Ignatavi?ius, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania; Mr. Porametee Vimolsiri, Deputy Secretary General, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand; Prof. Pakdee Pothisiri, Member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand; and Mr. Pichai Chuensuksawadi, Editor-in-Chief, the Bangkok Post Newspaper, to name a few. The attendance of the conference will include ambassadors and high ranking diplomats from Vienna, representatives from the Thai government, officials from the OSCE secretariat and observers totally around 100 participants.
The opportunity to host this Conference will promote Thailand’s active role on the international issues, as well as the opportunity to exchange views and promote cooperation in political and military security, transport security, energy security, and human security. Thailand attaches high priority in tackling transnational threats, such as the eradication of poppy cultivation and the promotion of crop substitution, ASEAN Connectivity, as well as sharing with the participants on key political and economic developments. Moreover, Thailand is the only Asian Partner for Cooperation in the OSCE that is a member of ASEAN. It has been Thailand’s intention to play a role in linking ASEAN and OSCE with a view to forge further interaction between the two regional organizations for the long term cooperation and security.
At the end of the Conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organize a visit for the participants to see first-hand the Ang Khang Royal Project in Chiang Mai.
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