The Minister of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Prime Minister is preparing to deliver a statement at the 3rd ACD Leaders' Forum and hold bilateral discussions with 4 countries, emphasizing that he is still concerned about Thai people in the Middle East. Mr. Maris Sengiampong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who traveled with Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, to attend the 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting in Doha, Qatar, revealed the Prime Minister's important schedule at the meeting today (3 October). The Prime Minister has scheduled bilateral discussions with the Iranian leader, as this year's ACD Chair, as well as the leaders of Kuwait, Qatar and Tajikistan. In addition, at approximately 14.20 hrs. Thailand time, the Prime Minister will deliver a statement on behalf of Thailand, which previously hosted the 2nd Leaders' Meeting in 2016, and as the Chair of the ACD, which will begin on January 1st. The Prime Minister wants to push for the ACD to become a forum for policy discussions fo r cooperation among Asian countries, to promote mutual benefits, and to be a forum where member countries can exchange ideas with understanding and trust, in order to seek solutions to global challenges, including challenges from geopolitical competition among major powers. Mr. Maris also explained that ACD was established in 2002 by the initiative of Thailand. It currently has 35 member countries. The purpose and importance of ACD is to be a forum for policy discussion and cooperation among Asian countries where member countries can exchange ideas and find ways to solve global challenges, promote understanding, trust, and mutual benefit, and is the only forum in Asia that connects countries in all parts of Asia (Pan-Asian Forum) and cooperation frameworks in various subregions such as BRICS, ASEAN, and CICA, etc. Mr. Maris also said that the Prime Minister is still monitoring the situation in the Middle East due to concerns for the citizens and the humanitarian situation. He has called on all parties to ex ercise maximum restraint and stop all forms of violence to prevent the conflict from escalating. He also expressed concern for the safety of Thais in risk areas in the Middle East, so he has urged all Thais in the area to strictly follow and comply with the advice of local authorities and the Royal Thai Embassy. Source: Thai News Agency
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