PM to promote bloc at G20

PM to promote bloc at G20

Top economies hold summit this week

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his post-Asean Summit speech in Bangkok on Sunday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his post-Asean Summit speech in Bangkok on Sunday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

Ahead of this week's G20 meeting, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha reaffirmed Thailand's and Asean's support of rule-based, free and open multilateral trading.

Deputy director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs Nikorndej Balankura said the prime minister will share the region's vision, which was further discussed at last weekend's Asean Summit in Bangkok.

Leaving on Thursday, Gen Prayut will attend the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on Friday and Saturday in his capacity as prime minister of Thailand and the chair of Asean.

"Thailand's agendas are the result of planning for the short-, middle- and long term in order to create continuity. We will bring the results from the 34th Asean Summit to clarify and query the G20 [leaders]," Mr Nikorndej said.

The 34th Asean Summit was held last Saturday and Sunday in Bangkok. Important issues adopted include the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific; the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the Asean Region; the Asean Framework of Action on Marine Debris; and the Asean Leaders' Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability.

The meeting also discussed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) -- a proposed free-trade agreement between the 10 Asean nations and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea -- which can be expected this year.

The G20 Summit, dubbed as the "premier forum for international economic cooperation" incorporates a group of regions and countries that account for more than 80% of global GDP.

Gen Prayut has prepared remarks on many issues including sustainable development and waste management, which are shared concerns among Asean and the G20 nations, Mr Nikorndej said.

"Thailand has expertise and readiness in employment, women's rights and sustainable development. I think the prime minister will likely have some interventions [during the G20 meetings]," he said, noting that it will also depend on the time allotted for discussions.

On the sidelines, Gen Prayut will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and India, Mr Nikorndej added.

Assistant government spokesperson Col Atisith Chainuvati said Thailand will join the G20 in promoting inclusiveness in the economic system as well as harnessing the fast-changing digital economy.

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