The recent visit of Ms. Sasirit Tangulrat, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire marked a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire in the areas of food security, energy security, and human security. The visit, which took place from July 31 to August 1, 2025, was attended by high-level officials from both countries, including H.E. Mr. Léon Kacou Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and the Ivorians Abroad.
The Thai side expressed its commitment to advancing cooperation in these three areas, which are crucial for ensuring global food security. The Director-General reaffirmed Thailand's position on seeking to ease tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border through peaceful means. This statement underscores the importance of maintaining regional stability and promoting conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent humanitarian crises.
During the visit, H.E. Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of State for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production of Côte d'Ivoire, agreed to strengthen development cooperation to enhance Côte d'Ivoire's food security. The Thai rice experts had the opportunity to visit rice fields and discuss further cooperation on regional rice research and rice production technology transfer with Cote d'Ivoire's Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production with the Africa Rice Center.
The agreement to promote cooperation in public health and health management constitutes a vital foundation for human security, particularly in the areas of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) management, food security, and pharmaceutical production. H.E. Dr. Coulibaly-Koné Soltie Aminata, Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage of Côte d'Ivoire, welcomed the opportunity to discuss these issues with the Thai side.
The visit also marked an important milestone in the establishment of Thailand-Côte d'Ivoire Political Consultations, which will be held for the first time in 2026. The meeting aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between the two countries on regional and global issues.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the world's population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, putting increasing pressure on global food systems. Strengthening cooperation between nations like Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire is crucial in addressing this challenge. By sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources, these countries can contribute to improving food security and promoting sustainable development.
In recent months, the international community has witnessed increased efforts to address the complexities of global food security. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) emphasizes the importance of ensuring global food security and improving nutrition for all people. The SDG 2 targets set a clear framework for governments, civil society organizations, and private sector entities to work together in addressing this pressing issue.
In conclusion, the visit of Ms. Sasirit Tangulrat to Côte d'Ivoire highlights the importance of strategic cooperation between nations in advancing global food security. As the world grapples with the challenges of feeding a growing population, it is essential that countries like Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire continue to strengthen their partnerships and share best practices in addressing this critical issue.
Expert Insights
"The strengthening of bilateral relations between Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire in the areas of food security, energy security, and human security will have a positive impact on regional stability and global development." – Dr. Nalinee Chaiyasombat, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies
"Global food security is a pressing issue that requires international cooperation to address. The visit of Ms. Sasirit Tangulrat to Côte d'Ivoire marks an important step towards strengthening this partnership and promoting sustainable development." – Ambassador Pongpol Punphrapaikul, Former Ambassador of Thailand to the European Union
Recent Developments
In recent months, several countries have strengthened their partnerships in addressing global food security. For instance, the African Development Bank has launched a new initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity in Africa. The United States has also announced plans to increase its support for global food security initiatives.
Future Implications
In the short term (next 6 months), we can expect increased cooperation between Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire in advancing their bilateral relations in the areas of food security, energy security, and human security. The establishment of Thailand-Côte d'Ivoire Political Consultations marks an important milestone in this process.
In the long term (5-10 years), we can anticipate a significant shift towards more sustainable and equitable global food systems. As the world grapples with the challenges of feeding a growing population, countries like Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire will play a crucial role in promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices in addressing this critical issue.
Call to Reflection
The visit of Ms. Sasirit Tangulrat to Côte d'Ivoire highlights the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between nations in advancing global food security. As policymakers, journalists, and educated readers, we must reflect on the significance of this partnership and its potential impact on regional stability and global development. We encourage sharing or debate on the implications of this visit and the future directions for international cooperation in addressing global food security challenges.