Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s mission to accompany the Prime Minister of Thailand to attend the 17th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) held during 14-15 November 2009 in Singapore has been accomplished.
During the Leaders Retreat Session I on Connecting the Region and Session II on Sustaining Growth, the Prime Minister of Thailand conveyed the following points.
- Liberalization, including concluding the WTO Doha Round and meeting APEC’s Bogor Goals will be the driving force for global economic recovery. However, APEC Member Economies must demonstrate the political will to prevent and rectify any adverse effects that may fall upon different sectors of society, which includes addressing the climate change issue as well. Doing so would ensure that the liberalization process becomes more understandable and acceptable to the public at large.
- APEC must build capacity, especially with respect to connectivity. On connectivity, APEC can learn from ASEAN’s example.
- Despite signs of recovery, the global economy still requires adjustment whether it is in terms of relative exchange rates or more inclusive participation of all sectors of society, especially SMEs and vulnerable groups.
- The Prime Minister shared His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy with other Leaders. The philosophy, when applied, can serve as a protective mechanism/shield for the population concerned.
- Reiterated ASEAN Member States intention to work together in the context of the upcoming 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15).
The 17th AELM Declaration and Statement by APEC Leaders on a New Growth Paradigm for a Connected Asia-Pacific in the 21st Century are attached hereto.
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
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