Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs co-chairs the 9th ASEAN-Pacific Alliance Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in[...]

Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs co-chairs the 9th ASEAN-Pacific Alliance Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York

On 22 September 2026, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 9th ASEAN-PA Ministerial Meeting in his capacity as the ASEAN-Pacific Alliance (PA) Country Coordinator, alongside H.E. Mr. Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, representing the PA Pro Tempore Presidency, at the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations in New York.

The meeting discussed ways to further enhance ASEAN-PA relations and advance practical cooperation between the two regions. In this regard, the Vice Minister highlighted three priority areas for future cooperation: (1) sustainable development and environmental cooperation, including green transition, sustainable finance, and climate action, through exchange of knowledge, expertise and innovation; (2) strengthening the capacity of MSMEs and promoting economic participation of youth and women, through cooperation in the digital economy, with the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) serving as a key foundation; and (3) jointly advancing inclusivity and sustainable development as priorities in international forums and on the global agenda.

The ASEAN-PA Ministerial Meeting provided an important opportunity for Thailand and ASEAN to help shape the future direction of ASEAN-PA cooperation while further strengthening the longstanding friendship and partnership between the two regions. The Meeting also underscored Thailand's steadfast commitment to promoting interregional cooperation.