Thailand is scheduled to host the 2022 APEC Summit. The meeting would be the first physical meeting in 3 years after a cancellation in 2019 and teleconference meetings in 2020 and 2021.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Following the success of ASDEAN’s series of post-ministerial conferences launched in the mid-1980s, APEC started in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; it aimed to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe.
Headquartered in Singapore, APEC is recognised as one of the highest-level multilateral blocs and oldest forums in the Asia-Pacific region and exerts a significant global influence.
To prepare for the meeting, the Prime Minister has established a national committee, chaired by himself, and with all the deputy prime ministers as vice chairs. Committee members comprise representatives of concerned agencies. Director-General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Economic Affairs is assigned as committee member and secretary. Four sub-committees have also been set up to oversee the preparation on: 1) meeting essences, 2) formalities and operations, 3) safety and traffic, and 4) publicity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with APEC core agencies in developing themes, priorities, and the deliverables to ensure inclusiveness and benefits.
It is likely that Thailand will push forward five major issues, that is, promotion of free and open trade and investment, digital society, good health and well-being, military and agricultural security, and inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun to survey possible venue, taking into consideration safety and traffic, equipment and facilities, venue management, and medical facilities. Safety and traffic will be planned according to the set protocol, while publicity will be comprehensively planned for pre-meeting, during the meeting, and post-meeting under the concept “Understanding, Accessibility, and Participation”.
The public sector will be engaged in the publicity campaign for Thailand’s hosting of the 2022 APEC Summit.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of working and planning in an integrative manner to prevent problems or obstacles.
