Thailand hosts 2nd TPIF

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - Thailand hosts the Second Thailand-Pacific Island Countries Forum (TPIF) in Bangkok from May 30-31, in which government leaders and senior officials of nine island states in the Pacific participate to explore ways to widen economic cooperation between their countries and the Thai Kingdom. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn inaugurated the meeting on Saturday (May 30), telling reporters that the Thai government would propose for a three-year strategic partnership for development at the two-day TPIF. General Tanasak said the Thai government is confident that cooperation among developing countries should proceed smoothly in the future. Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Norachit Singhaseni, along with government leaders from Nauru, Fiji and the Cook Islands, then held a joint press conference stating that the two-day TPIF would discuss a possible cooperation in 11 fields. They include trade, agriculture, fishery, tourism, alternative energy and community development under the concept of self-sufficiency economy, initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. However, government leaders of the Pacific nations have expressed concerns, especially over climate change, which earlier devastated their island countries. Participants in the meeting are, thus, expected to also discuss measures to prevent damages from climate change. Leaders of the Pacific countries are scheduled to visit His Majesty the King’s royal development projects in Chachoengsao Province in the Thai East and to inspect Thai community goods made under the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) Programme at an exhibition on the outskirts of the Thai capital on May 31. (TNA)