The Republic of Korea is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Week in 2025, with Thailand playing a key role in shaping the agenda. As the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of APEC for 2026, it must navigate the complexities of global governance and address pressing issues such as demographic change and Artificial Intelligence.
The recent Third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (APEC SOM3/2025) in Incheon, Republic of Korea, marked a significant milestone in Thailand's efforts to advance its interests on the international stage. The meeting saw Thailand reaffirm its support for the Republic of Korea's host year priority under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow," with a focus on advancing the multilateral trading system and fostering cooperation in emerging issues.
Thailand's commitment to this agenda is rooted in its vision for a sustainable future, which encompasses not only economic growth but also environmental protection and social responsibility. As the country seeks to balance its own development with global responsibilities, it must engage with other nations and international organizations to address pressing challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and technological disruptions.
The recent participation of Thailand's Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs in the inaugural APEC 2025 Korea Public-Private Dialogue: Demographic Response and AI Cooperation highlighted the importance of inclusive participation across all population groups, technological leverages to improve health and caregiving, digital skills enhancement, and investment in sustainable AI infrastructure. This event underscored the need for collaborative efforts among governments, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations to address the complex issues arising from demographic shifts.
The recent development is part of Thailand's broader effort to integrate its economic policies with the APEC agenda, which aims to promote regional trade and investment while addressing pressing global challenges. The country's participation in various APEC committees and working groups, including the APEC High-Level Meeting on Anti-Corruption Cooperation, the APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting, and the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting, reflects its commitment to advancing concrete cooperation with other nations.
Thailand's pursuit of a sustainable tomorrow is also reflected in its efforts to promote regional security and stability. The country's participation in various regional initiatives, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit, underscores its commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation among nations to address pressing security challenges.
However, Thailand faces significant challenges in its pursuit of this agenda. The country's economic growth is heavily dependent on exports, which makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global trade and investment trends. Moreover, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in Thailand's healthcare system and highlighted the need for strengthened regional cooperation to address global health challenges.
In conclusion, Thailand's pursuit of a sustainable tomorrow represents a significant development in its efforts to promote regional security and stability, advance its economic interests, and address pressing global challenges. As the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of APEC for 2026, it must navigate the complexities of global governance and engage with other nations and international organizations to address pressing issues such as demographic change and Artificial Intelligence.
Recent Developments
The recent Third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (APEC SOM3/2025) in Incheon, Republic of Korea, marked a significant milestone in Thailand's efforts to advance its interests on the international stage.
Thailand's participation in the inaugural APEC 2025 Korea Public-Private Dialogue: Demographic Response and AI Cooperation highlighted the importance of inclusive participation across all population groups, technological leverages to improve health and caregiving, digital skills enhancement, and investment in sustainable AI infrastructure.
Expert Insights
"Thailand's pursuit of a sustainable tomorrow is an important development in its efforts to promote regional security and stability. However, the country faces significant challenges in this area, including vulnerabilities in its healthcare system." – Dr. Sureeporn Punpuing, Professor from the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University.
"Thailand's participation in various APEC committees and working groups reflects its commitment to advancing concrete cooperation with other nations. However, the country must also address pressing global challenges such as climate change and pandemics." – Dr. Suchit Bondasutid, Senior Fellow from the Thai Institute of International Affairs.
Outlook
In the short term, Thailand is likely to continue its efforts to advance its interests on the international stage, including its participation in APEC committees and working groups. However, the country faces significant challenges in this area, including vulnerabilities in its healthcare system and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In the long term, Thailand's pursuit of a sustainable tomorrow is likely to be shaped by its engagement with other nations and international organizations to address pressing global challenges such as demographic change and Artificial Intelligence. The country's commitment to promoting regional security and stability will also continue to play an important role in shaping its foreign policy agenda.
Reflection
Thailand's pursuit of a sustainable tomorrow represents a significant development in its efforts to promote regional security and stability, advance its economic interests, and address pressing global challenges. As the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of APEC for 2026, it must navigate the complexities of global governance and engage with other nations and international organizations to address pressing issues such as demographic change and Artificial Intelligence.