Thailand-Pacific Island Countries Forum to be held May 20-21

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) - Thailand will host the 30th Thailand-Pacific Island Countries Forum in Bangkok during May 20–21, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Thai Kingdom and 14 Pacific Island nations. Songsak Saicheua, Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, told journalists on Monday that the forum, themed "Thailand-Pacific Island Countries:Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development and Thai Experiences on Sufficient Economy Philosophy", will be held at a hotel in the Thai capital. During the upcoming two-day forum, Songsak noted, the participating countries will follow up progress and cooperation between Thailand and the 14 Pacific Island countries over a three-year period, starting from 2015. Songsak said the cooperation projects include those on tourism, public health, climate change, agriculture, fishery and marine resources conservation. Besides, Thailand International Cooperation Agency, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is preparing to set up a learning centre on Sufficiency Economy programmes in Fiji, while also planning to develop a model village in Tonga on the similar programme. According to the senior official, Thailand will focus on trade and investment, as well as cooperation in other fields at the forum later this week. The senior official stressed that the Thai Kingdom is prepared to increase cooperation with the Pacific Island nations during the remaining period of the three-year cooperation timeframe. (TNA)