Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday urged cooperation from all sectors of society in sharing knowledge and information to prepare for or prevent the next pandemic.
Gen Prayut chaired a discussion marking the launch of the Apec University Leaders' Forum 2022 (AULF) on the theme of "Preventing the Next Pandemic -- The Global Partnership Agenda: Government, Business and Research University" at the Maha Chulalongkorn Building in Bangkok.
"Education is a key sector to spread verified information to the public," said Gen Prayut. "Cooperation is the key to leading the country through a crisis."
The AULF, which runs on the sidelines of the 2022 Apec CEO Summit, was co-organised by the Association of Pacific Rim University (APRU) and Chulalongkorn University. It aims to play an influential role in either avoiding or mitigating the next pandemic by being prepared for such a scenario.
Also, raising awareness of the importance of this year's Apec theme of "Open. Connect. Balance." means the region should be open to all opportunities, connected in all dimensions, and balanced in all aspects, the premier reportedly said.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the forum was attended by at least 20 university presidents, senior executives and business leaders from APRU, as well as the president of Chulalongkorn University. They exchanged research and discussed ways of staving off future pandemics as well as the global recovery in the wake of Covid-19.
The forum highlighted three dialogue sessions: Partnering on Biomedical Research, Effective Socio-cultural Strategies, and Combatting the Infodemic.
Prof Gene D Block, chairman of the APRU and chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), delivered a keynote speech during the opening ceremony.
"On behalf of APRU, I am delighted to welcome all honourable guests across the Asia-Pacific region to the forum, after our world experienced big changes from the Covid-19 pandemic," Prof Block said.
"This forum will play a significant role in sharing insights, strategy and technology to combat the next pandemic," he said.