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Visit to Central Asia.
Dr. Surakiart went on to visit the Central Asian states
of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
on 30 May-3 June, and discussed UN reform and the UN,
including the role of the UN in promoting peace and stability
in Central Asia, such as through supporting regional cooperation
and sustainable development activities. |
Asia Society Address.
On 9 June, Dr. Surakiart delivered the Opening Address
at the Asia Society's 15th Corporate Conference in Bangkok
which focused on the rise of Southeast Asia and the broader
rise of Asia in international society. It was an opportunity
for Dr. Surakiart to further elaborate on the theme that
the rise of Southeast Asia is changing Asia, as the rise
of Asia is changing the world, and that the changes in
Asia must benefit the world. Moreover, he stressed his
belief in regional building blocks as an important component
of effective multilateralism. |
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Visit to Singapore.
On 9-11 June, Dr. Surakiart visited Singapore and held
productive discussions with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew,
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong and Foreign Minister George Yeo on enhancing synchronization
of an ASEAN strategy for the campaign.
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South Summit.
Dr. Surakiart represented the Thai Prime Minister as his
Special Envoy at the Second South Summit in Doha on 13-16
June where he delivered a statement on the Prime Minister's
behalf. He had opportunities to discuss and elaborate
further on his vision for poverty eradication and development
with other representatives. In his statement, he shared
some of Thailand's perspectives on development, such as
the importance of strengthening the grassroots economy,
managing globalization, while highlighting the important
role of the UN in development. On the UN reform process,
he stressed that "as we enrich our reform debates and
principles, we must not let them be so divisive that they
inhibit faster progress in reaching the Millennium Development
Goals and the development agenda."
In Doha, Dr. Surakiart also took the opportunity to hold
numerous bilateral discussions with Leaders and Ministers
from Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Discussions with African Leaders focused heavily on how
to promote Africa's development, including through enhanced
sharing of best practices between developing countries.
Dr. Surakiart stressed the need to move forward on all
three pillars of development, namely South-South partnership,
North-South partnership and the public-private sector
partnership. |
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European Visit.
Dr. Surakiart visited France, Denmark and Greece on 26
June-5 July. It was an opportunity for him to make acquaintances
with new French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy
and exchange views with other leaders on UN reform, and
on recent developments concerning the EU. |
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