Bangkok, Thailand — Representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond convened at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok for the Seventh Asia-Pacific Directors General Forum for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA). The Forum serves as a vital platform bringing together Directors General, senior officials, and heads of agencies responsible for South-South and triangular cooperation to advance inclusive and sustainable development in the region.
Delegations from ESCAP Member States, Permanent Observers, and development partners participated, including high-level officials from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam. Thailand’s delegation included key representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TICA, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO), and other agencies. Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), participated as an invited speaker.
One of the key highlights was Session 2, which focused on advancing sustainable and inclusive development through South-South and triangular cooperation. This session aimed to address the interconnected challenges and opportunities within inclusive development to leave no one behind. The discussion emphasized cross-cutting issues such as disability inclusion, gender equality, youth empowerment, and the needs of an aging society, and explored how collaboration among diverse stakeholders can drive progress in these areas.
By examining scalable models, inclusive policies, innovative partnerships, and emerging multidimensional solutions, the session encouraged the sharing of adaptable strategies that can be replicated across different country contexts.
Guiding questions included:
What are the key barriers to achieving inclusive and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, and how can South-South and triangular cooperation help overcome them?
How can development cooperation agencies better integrate inclusion—social, economic, and environmental—into their South-South cooperation strategies and programmes?
What successful models or practices have emerged from South-South cooperation that demonstrate scalable and replicable approaches to inclusive development?
Session Structure
Overview Presentation (15 min.)
Mr. Srinivas Tata, Director, Social Development Division (SDD), ESCAP
Moderated Panel Discussion (90 min.)
Moderator: Ms. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA)
Panel Speakers
Mr. Yoshida Masahiro, Senior Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Organization (JICA)
Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)
Mr. Dursun Ali Yaşacan, Director of East and South Asia, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA)
Ms. Rina Setyawati, Director for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia
Ms. Tipicha Posayanonda, Deputy Secretary-General, National Health Commission Office (NHCO), Thailand
The Forum underscored the essential role of South-South and triangular cooperation in tackling shared development challenges and promoting inclusive societies across Asia and the Pacific. APCD’s participation reflects its continued commitment to advancing disability-inclusive development and fostering regional collaboration for a more equitable and resilient future.
