Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, in his keynote address at the Nikkei Forum APAC 2026, has reaffirmed “the future is Asia.”

The Deputy Prime Minister on 16 July 2026 participated in a fireside chat at ั่the Nikkei Forum APAC 2026 held in Bangkok. In his keynote address, he built upon the key message from his address at the 31st Nikkei Forum Future of Asia in Tokyo on 10 June 2026, reiterating that “the future is Asia.”

He underscored that Asia’s future depends on “resilient openness,” emphasizing that the region must remain open to international cooperation while strengthening the region’s capacity to navigate risks and uncertainties. This requires adapting to the evolving global economic landscape, promoting intra-regional cooperation, and fostering mutual trust through regional frameworks, particularly ASEAN.

During the fireside chat, the Deputy Prime Minister shared his vision regarding Thailand’s role as a middle power in advancing regional cooperation, as well as strategies to mitigate the economic impacts of ongoing regional and global conflicts.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark Nikkei’s 150th anniversary, the Nikkei Forum APAC 2026 serves as a regional platform for leaders and experts from the public and private sectors across the Asia-Pacific region, including Thailand, Japan, China, and Viet Nam, to share perspectives and exchange views on key issues related to key industries in the region, including the automotive industry, robotics and AI, tourism, food industry, and finance. 

The forum drew over 200 in-person attendees and more than 2,000 online participants. In this regard, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, also delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Prime Minister.