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Consultation on Thailand - Africa Partnership for Development
27 May 2004: Delegation of nine African countries started the first day meeting in Bangkok, yesterday, to discuss ways and means of ensuring development knowledge through "South-South cooperation". The consultation is part of the activities being implemented under the Thailand UNDP programme on International Partnership for Development.
Organized by the UN Development Programme and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation, a Consultation on Africa-Thailand Partnership for Development is held during during 26-27 May 2004, in supporting the Government's current foreign policy - Forward Engagement, seeking new dimensions of cooperation with new partners while nurturing the old ones.
The objectives of the Consultation will serve as a forum for an exchange of ideas with key partners on the strategic framework for partnership; explore new scope, direction and modalities for Thailand 's development cooperation with Africa; and explore potential areas of cooperation where UNDP can support Thailand's efforts on Africa.
Mr. Nissai Vejjajiva, Special Envoy and Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his opening address remarked that in supporting the Government's foreign policy and priorities on Africa, Thailand stands ready to exchange areas of cooperation with Africa , based on principles of partnership for development.
"Thailand is reaching out to Africa, seeking a strategic partnership and achievement of the Millennium Development Goal 8 which includes development cooperation, trade and investment", stated by Mr. J.K. Robert England UNDP Thailand Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator.
Mr. Samuel Nyambi, Regional Manager of UNDP South Africa, said knowledge-sharing, technology transfer and capacity building - these are the keys for cooperation.
Mr. Ravi Rajan, Officer-in-Charge of UNDP Special Unit for TCDC -South-South Cooperation, said Thailand 's position was unique due to its medium size and experiences relevant to Africa, especially in areas of developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and curbing HIV/AIDS.
A field visit to royal development projects -- Huay Sai at Petchburi province will be conducted immediately after the Consultation for African participants. The purpose of this visit is to learn about His Majesty the King's philosophy on "Self-sufficiency Economy".
Participation includes high-level officials from African countries namely Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Mali , Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi, Senegal, Morocco, Madagascar, Mozambique, Bostwana, Swaziland, Libya, Ghana, Algeria and Gabon. In addition, the Consultation is attended by representatives from relevant government agencies, senior officials from UNDP Headquarters and UNDP Resident Representative from Uganda, UN and international agencies based in Thailand.
