Bangkok: Bhumtham revealed for the first time that the Ministry of Interior will lead Thailand’s team to host the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication and other meetings, scheduled for December 8-12 in Bangkok.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, provided insights into the ASEAN cooperation framework on rural development and poverty eradication (RDPE). This initiative emerged after the 1997 economic crisis, which significantly impacted the region’s population. In response, Thailand, alongside other ASEAN member states, established a ministerial-level memorandum of understanding to address these challenges collectively.
Thailand is poised to host the 14th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (14th AMRDPE) and other related gatherings in 2025. This event is seen as a strategic mission for Thailand to showcase its leadership in promoting rural development and poverty eradication. The Minister of Interior will assume the role of ASEAN Ministerial Chair for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) for two years, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior will serve as the ASEAN Senior Official on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) for one year.
Mr. Phumtham explained that the meetings will take place from December 8-12, 2025, in Bangkok. The Ministry of Interior, along with the ASEAN Secretariat, will oversee the proceedings. The agenda includes several important events such as the 22nd ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (22nd SOMRDPE), the 14th ASEAN Public-Private Partnership on RDPE, and the 3rd ASEAN Village Network Meeting, among others.
Additionally, there will be field study visits to Thai communities recognized for excellent practices in rural development, and the 7th ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Leadership Awards Ceremony will also be held.
Mr. Bhumtham emphasized that Thailand, as a founding member of the ASEAN Community, stands to gain significantly from this meeting. The collaboration will bolster policy development and implementation efforts aimed at improving well-being, employment, stable incomes, social safety, self-reliance, and sustainable quality of life for people in Thailand and the ASEAN region. This meeting will also serve as a platform for ministers and officials from ASEAN member countries, including dialogue partners like China, Korea, and Japan, to exchange best practices, particularly focusing on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This philosophy has led to the development of agricultural principles that enable Thai people to lead fulfilling lives.