Intervention
by
H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Kingdom of Thailand
at the APEC Foreign Ministers’ Informal Breakfast
8 November 2014
Beijing, China
Yesterday, many colleagues mentioned the issue of disaster risk reduction and management, and why it is important for APEC.
Thailand believes that APEC economies must be better prepared.
Because Asia Pacific is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world with cases of cyclone, typhoon, flood, drought, earthquake and tsunami.
As we have seen, it only takes just one disaster to wipe away years of development gains.
And given the close links of our economies, an incident in one economy can affect the entire global supply chain.
So, the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, next year will be crucial. Everyone should pitch in and make it a success.
On our part, Thailand hosted a regional meeting earlier this year to mobilize support from across the Asia Pacific ahead of this important conference.
The current Ebola crisis is not just a public health crisis. It is also a crisis of confidence.
It is important for us to show political will and unity in tackling this crisis. APEC should send out a clear message in this regard.
Thailand believes that a regional meeting of health ministers should be convened to make sure that we send out the message that we are united in our stand and determined to tackle the crisis.
Such a meeting should also focus on improving cooperation in surveillance, early warning and information-sharing.
Another point that we discussed in terms of trade facilitation is how to reduce the cost of doing business by the private sector.
This involves measures such as harmonizing and simplifying rules and regulations, and streamlining customs procedures.
But one of the major challenges that must be tackled more seriously is corruption.
Because corruption adds significantly to the cost of doing business.
To do that, we must ensure greater transparency.
And here, I wish to emphasize that this is one of the top priorities of the Thai Government.
--กองการสื่อมวลชน กรมสารนิเทศ กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ--