On 8 December 2025, at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, presided over the event “The Relaunching of the Thailand - Africa Initiative (TAI).” The event served as a platform to reaffirm Thailand’s policy towards Africa, known as the Thailand - Africa Initiative, and Thailand’s commitment to strengthening relations with the African region in all dimensions.

The Thailand - Africa Initiative, first launched in 2013, is Thailand’s foreign policy to advance cooperation between Thailand and African countries. In response to the evolving global and international context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has, at present, refined its approach and reaffirmed its focus on strengthening cooperation in four pillars: political cooperation, economic cooperation, development cooperation, and global strategic cooperation. The Initiative aims to promote mutual interests between Thailand and Africa in a more structured, consistent, and sustainable manner, as fellow developing partners.

The event was attended by high-level representatives from African countries, resident and non-resident African ambassadors accredited to Thailand, the diplomatic corps in Thailand and representatives of international organisations, as well as relevant stakeholders from the Thai public and private sectors. The Thailand – Africa Development Forum (TADF) has also been conducted by Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in this same week to enhance partnerships with African countries in sustainable development sectors.

The Royal Thai Government was honoured by the presence of His Excellency Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the event. He was on an official bilateral visit to Thailand to discuss on strengthening bilateral relations and on possible cooperation and activities under the Thailand - Africa Initiative, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as well as Nigeria’s sustainable development priorities and those of the African region, for tangible progress under the Thailand - Africa Initiative.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both sides also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kasetsart University and the Africa Rice Center on research and development of local rice varieties in Africa, aiming to boost food security in Africa.

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