Thailand handed over ASEAN Group Coordinatorship under ASEM to Viet Nam

On 12 January 2023, Mr. Asi Mamanee, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs and ASEM Senior Official (SOM) for Thailand, handed over the ASEAN Group Coordinatorship under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) framework to Ms. Tran Bao Ngoc, ASEM SOM for Viet Nam, during an online ASEAN Group Meeting.

ASEM Senior officials of the ASEAN Group Members expressed their gratitude and appreciation towards Thailand's excellent coordination during 2021-2022, which was a very challenging period. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group managed to form common stances on many global issues, especially during the 13th ASEM Summit hosted by Cambodia virtually on 25-26 November 2021. Thailand was also commended for its active engagement with other ASEM Coordinators which helped enhance the role of the ASEAN Group and promotes cooperation under the ASEM framework. The Senior Officials also exchanged views on how to move forward the cooperation under the ASEM framework in the future.

ASEM is the only summit-level forum between Asia and Europe, covering 3 main pillars: politics, economics, and social and cultural cooperation. The Meeting is a venue for Leaders to exchange ideas and enhance mutual understanding between the regions. Thailand is a founding member of ASEM and the first host of the ASEM Summit in Bangkok in 1996.