Thailand upholds ASEAN’s role in Indo-Pacific

Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: VNA)

Prayut made the statement while presiding over the opening of the annual Chiefs of Defence Conference 2019 (CHOD 2019) co-hosted by the US and Thai armies in Bangkok on August 27. 

He said ASEAN has become an important strategic platform for commerce and security, recognises the importance of the Indo-Pacific Region, and the "ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific" will pave the way for strengthening ties and cooperation, while supporting regional leaders to work together in four areas, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and economic collaboration.

Thailand supports dialogue and negotiations on the international stage as well as mechanisms to promote coordination between nations, he said. 

In addition to stability, the PM said sustainability must be established in other areas in accordance with the concept of the "Sustainability of Things". All countries have to consider the concept when making decisions. The new generation should also adopt the concept so that they are unaffected by changes in the global environment over the long run.

VNA