Mrs. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 30 January 2026 at 10.30 hr provided a summary of the weekly press briefing on the participation of Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat in Cebu, the Philippines, as follows:

1. Summary of the Participation of the Foreign Minister in the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

• On 20-22 January 2026, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with the Thai delegation, attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

• The Foreign Minister’s main mission consisted of two key objectives: (1) to enhance opportunities for the Thai private sector and the people in general through connecting the Thai private sector with global business networks and attracting investment in new industries; and (2) to strengthen confidence in Thailand by reaffirming the continuity of Thailand’s economic policies, which open to investment and its adherence to a free trade system, as well as highlighting concrete cooperation with the WEF in areas that are Thailand’s strengths and that demonstrate Thailand’s leading role.

• Highlight activities were the Foreign Minister’s participation in meetings to advance international cooperation to address problems that have serious consequences for the global economy, such as cybercrime, human trafficking and forced labor.

• On the sidelines of the WEF meetings, the Foreign Minister met with high-level representatives from the government sector and heads of international organizations, such as the Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation; the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Korea; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The purpose was to open up trade and investment opportunities for Thailand by attracting foreign investment, especially in emerging markets and industries such as digital and artificial intelligence (AI), within the framework of the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI), and to promote Thailand’s OECD membership.

• In addition, he also met with senior executives from the private sector, civil society and leading global media outlets, such as DP World, CNBC, and Euronews to not only promote cooperation but also to exchange Thailand’s perspectives on the global geopolitical situation, regional issues, and Thailand’s stance on various issues.

2. Outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat in Cebu, the Philippines

• On 28-29 January 2026, the Foreign Minister participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Cebu, the Philippines. The AMM Retreat marks the first ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the year under the Philippines’ Chairship and is held under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

• The AMM Retreat expressed ASEAN’s readiness in supporting the ASEAN Chair’s priorities this year, with a focus on strengthening ASEAN cooperation to address shared challenges. These include: (1) accelerating negotiations on the ASEAN - Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) and expediting the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) within this year; (2) promoting the green transition and enhancing regional energy connectivity; (3) strengthening climate security through the application of artificial intelligence (AI); and (4) enhancing preparedness to respond to emerging disasters in the future.

• On this occasion, the Foreign Minister also participated in the Extended Informal Consultation (EIC) on Myanmar, during which the Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus under the Chairship of the Philippines. He raised key issues, particularly developments in Myanmar following the elections, approaches to advancing the Five-Point Consensus, and underscored the importance of humanitarian assistance, opening up space for dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, as well as ensuring the continuity of the Special Envoy mechanism.

• On the sidelines of the AMM Retreat, the Foreign Minister held bilateral discussions with ASEAN Member States, such as Viet Nam, the Philippines, Brunei, the Lao PDR and Singapore, to exchange views on strengthening relations and cooperation across all dimensions, including high-level exchanges, political cooperation, trade and investment, and other issues of common interest.

• Discussions include developments in Myanmar following the elections, cooperation in combating online scams, and the Thailand - Cambodia border situation. The Foreign Minister also stressed the importance of ASEAN’s role in promoting peace, stability and practical cooperation in the region.