Director-General of the International Economic Affairs Department attends the 1st APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia

On 6 - 8 February 2026, Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, in her capacity as Thailand's APEC Senior Official, attended the 1st APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting 2026 (ABAC 1/2026) in Jakarta, Indonesia, along with representatives from ABAC Thailand, namely (1) Mr. Kasemsit Pathomsak, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ABAC Thailand; and (2) Mr. Kobsak Duangdee, Secretary-General of the Thai Bankers' Association.

The Director-General exchanged views with ABAC members and APEC Senior Officials from other economies on ways to enhance cooperation between APEC and ABAC during the ABAC-SOM Dialogue session. Thailand reaffirmed its strong commitment to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, as well as to advancing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). Thailand also expressed its readiness to work closely with ABAC, particularly in areas such as paperless trade, digital connectivity, combating online crimes and illicit financial flows, strengthening the capacity of MSMEs, and promoting inclusive financial access for all segments of society, as well as highlighted its role as host of the IMF - World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026, to be held on 12 - 18 October 2026 in Bangkok.

The ABAC 1/2026 Meeting was held under the theme "Openness. Connectivity. Synergy." in alignment with the overarching theme of China's APEC host year 2026: "Building an Asia - Pacific Community to Prosper Together," which focuses on three key priorities, namely Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation. Thailand will host the ABAC 3/2026 Meeting on 7 - 10 July 2026 in Bangkok.