Thailand-Africa Partnership for Development
In line with the Thai Government’s policy of “Forward Engagement”, UNDP Thailand supports a growing partnership between Thailand and African countries which puts to good use Thailand’s considerable knowledge and expertise in development issues.
Specific initiatives have included a workshop on developing capacities in agriculture and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya; a visit by officials from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to Thailand to learn about Thailand’s experience in HIV/AIDS counselling for adolescents; and workshops on HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Kenya and Botswana, at which Thai government and private sector experts shared their experiences at the national and community levels. In November 2006, officials from nine African countries visited Thailand to study SME development, and in mid-February 2007, UNDP Thailand facilitated the participation of twelve Thai companies in the Asia-Africa Business Forum in Tanzania.
At the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, UNDP supported a “needs assessment on avian influenza” in Egypt, which was carried out in early May 2007 in partnership with the African Union and the governments of Egypt and France. UNDP Thailand will support Thai experts to help conduct technical training on avian influenza in African countries.
