Thailand Takes the Helm: 2025 ACD Chair to Propel the ‘Asian Century’ Vision Forward
Thailand has officially begun its tenure as chair of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) for 2025, with a focused agenda aimed at steering the region towards sustainable growth through innovation and fostering cooperation amid geopolitical conflicts. This initiative not only seeks to enhance collaboration but also aims to build understanding, trust, and confidence via inclusive dialogues among member countries.
Assuming leadership on January 1, 2025, Thailand is prepared to strengthen Asia’s collaborative efforts in the face of complex geopolitical challenges and rapid technological advancements. The country, being a founding member of ASEAN and the initiator of the ACD, has consistently championed multilateralism.
Thailand’s Vision for the ACD
Under the theme “Fostering Asia’s Sustainable Growth and Future through Innovation,” Thailand aims to elevate the ACD into a pivotal “Pan-Asia Forum.” The initiative will:
- Boost cooperation among member nations
- Build trust through open dialogues
- Align diverse interests across Asia
Thailand’s strategic position as a bridge-builder is key to aligning the varied interests within the ACD while linking dialogues to broader international frameworks. During her recent engagements, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized Asia’s crucial role as a global hub for food and energy security, often referred to as the world’s “powerhouse” and “kitchen.”
Addressing Regional Challenges
During the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit, Prime Minister Shinawatra addressed significant challenges facing the region, including:
- Geopolitical tensions
- Climate change
- The need for technological advancements
Furthermore, the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian on October 3, 2024, on the sidelines of this summit. She advocated for strengthening trade networks and harmonizing standards to ensure the resilience of global food supply chains, highlighting Thailand’s geographic advantage as a natural connector between the East and West.
Upcoming Meetings and Initiatives
The Thai government has outlined a series of significant meetings aimed at advancing its agenda throughout the year. The schedule includes:
- ACD virtual Senior Officials’ Meeting in February
- High-level conference on Global Architecture in May
- 20th ACD Ministerial Meeting in August
These gatherings are focused on fostering substantial discussions about innovation and sustainable development in the region. Additionally, Thailand will host an Informal Ministerial Meeting during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, where the handover ceremony will take place.
Enhancing Economic Stability
Thailand’s focus extends to enhancing the ACD’s role in global economic stability and security. By advocating for economic and financial stability rooted in a balanced financial architecture, Thailand is drawing on lessons learned from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. This strategic approach aims to support the global agenda on Financing for Development, ensuring economic growth benefits all.
The “Asian Century” Agenda
As Thailand leads these initiatives, international and regional stakeholders are closely monitoring progress. The success of Thailand’s chairmanship is expected to:
- Influence the landscape of regional collaboration
- Set a robust model for future cooperation across Asia
With a commitment to driving sustainable and innovative growth, Thailand is determined to harness Asia’s collective strengths, affirming the 21st century as the ‘Asian Century’. This proactive agenda underscores Thailand’s dedication to leveraging the ACD as a dynamic platform for promoting peace, prosperity, and sustainable development throughout Asia.
Collaboration Between Thailand and Iran
Iran, which became an ACD member in 2004, shares Thailand’s strong commitment to advancing this grouping. Having served as ACD chair last year, Iran has actively participated in leading two working groups focused on:
- Education and human resource development
- Culture and tourism
Regular consultations between senior officials of Thailand and Iran have taken place, especially leading up to the handover of the ACD chair late last year. Given the genuine efforts of both nations, the ACD is poised to gain further momentum, drawing closer to its vision of becoming an essential platform for cooperation among its 35 member countries.
By Teerin Julsawad and the Royal Thai Embassy, Tehran
