The 14th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) and the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Committee on Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS)[...]

On 9 - 10 August 2022, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and the Honourable Dato' Sri Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, co-chaired the 14th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) and the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Committee on Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS) between Thailand and Malaysia, in Bangkok. The Meetings were conducted in an amicable atmosphere and the discussions were constructive with an aim to deepen bilateral cooperation between both countries in all dimensions.

The Meetings were held under the theme "Fostering Resilience in Times of Challenges," which reflects the need for Thailand and Malaysia to strategise and enhance their cooperation in order to promote resilience of the two countries and enable them to better cope with unprecedented challenges. To achieve these goals, the Meetings focused their discussion on "3Ps," which are to enhance protection of the people, to promote prosperity and to work in closer partnership.

Summary of key outcomes are as follows:

1. On Protection of the People
- Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen close cooperation on border management, particularly in combating transnational crimes. The Thai side welcomed Malaysia's readiness to host the 1st Meeting of the Thailand - Malaysia Joint Working Committee on Security Cooperation (JWC-SC) to discuss pending security issues in depth.
- Both sides discussed cooperation to address non-traditional security issues, including knowledge-sharing on the sustainable management of natural resources and environment in accordance with the BCG Economy Model to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. They also agreed to explore possible cooperation in alternative energy to ensure energy security.

2. On Promotion of Prosperity
- Trade: Both sides agreed to work closely to facilitate bilateral trade in order to achieve the trade target of USD 30 billion by 2025.
- Tourism: Both sides shared the commitment to promoting the mobility of people and boost their tourism industry. They agreed to explore possible cooperation in promoting Muslim friendly and sustainable tourism.
- Enhancing connectivity: Both sides agreed to expedite completion of pending projects, including the construction of the Road Alignment Linking CIQ Sadao - ICQS Bukit Kayu Hitam and the construction of the two new bridges across Golok River as well as to explore the possibilities of developing other instrumental projects such as the connectivity project between Satun Province and Perlis State and the High Speed Rail Link. Both sides also tasked their relevant agencies to explore possible cooperation on the linkages between Special Border Economic Zones (SBEZs) in Thailand and Malaysia.
- Digital economy: Both sides agreed to explore cooperation in digital economy as a new area of collaboration. They expressed willingness to promote capacity building, business matching and foreign investment to enhance competitiveness and improve productivity.
- Labour: Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to enhance labour cooperation including labour management, vocational training, and labour employment promotion.

3. On Enhancing Partnership
- People-to-people relations: Both sides attached high importance to promoting closer people-to-people partnership, including through possible provision of fellowships and scholarships, exchange of study visits, and capacity building programmes. They expressed interest in deepening cultural cooperation to promote cultural awareness and better understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
- Regional and multilateral cooperation: Both sides agreed to intensify their cooperation all levels to tackle global and regional challenges. They also exchanged views on current developments in the region as well as the geopolitical situation, stressing the importance of upholding ASEAN Centrality to ensure peace and prosperity in the region. Thailand appreciated Malaysia's support for Thailand's role as host of APEC in 2022.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the meetings which will add value to the dynamism of the Thailand-Malaysia bilateral relations as well as shape their future cooperation at the regional and multilateral levels. Malaysia expressed appreciation for Thailand hosting this year's meetings and its readiness to host the 15th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) and the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Committee on Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS) between Thailand and Malaysia on a date to be mutually agreed upon by both sides.