PHUKET: As host of next year's Apec meeting, Thailand will place the long-delayed Free-Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) at the top of the regional economic forum's agenda.
Thani Thongphakdi, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the FTAAP has been a goal of Apec's since 2006 but it has only slowly moved ahead due to the poor preparedness of many members.
Going forward, the FTAAP will emphasise sustainable development goals for society, economies and the environment within the context of reopening safely in a post-Covid world, he said.
"The previous concept is now out of date, and now we need to discuss new dimensions, focusing on our Bio-Circular-Green economy so as to reach the global goal of sustainable development," Mr Thani said.
"There are of course other new issues to be considered," he said. "We are ready to join the group in certain points, but we're not ready in other areas. That is the reason for further discussion. It will not happen in a short period of time, but it will at least start with talks next year."
Mr Thani was speaking after the first round of informal senior officials meetings was held in Phuket this week.