PRESS RELEASE:
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States and Thailand after the third meeting of the United States – Thailand Joint Committee on Science and Technology.
June 22, 2023, the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand convened in Bangkok for the third Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on science and technology to further strengthen the partnership between our scientific communities.
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Oceans, and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) Jennifer R. Littlejohn co-chaired the discussion with Associate Professor Pasit Lorterapong, Ph.D, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thailand Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation (MHESI). Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn applauded the robust 190 years of diplomatic engagement between our two countries and emphasized how science and technology cooperation exemplifies the mutual benefits of U.S.-Thailand collaboration.
JCM topics focused on key science and technology policy and research priorities including energy and climate change mitigation; infectious and non-infectious diseases; biodiversity; agriculture; water; climate change adaptation; STEM education and entrepreneurship; the innovation pipeline; and environmental conservation for the benefit people and economies.
The U.S. delegation comprised leaders and experts from the Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Smithsonian Institution, Center for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. Department of State. The participating Thai agencies included the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), National Innovation Agency (NIA), National Science Museum Thailand (NSM), Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
The JCM was convened under the bilateral Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, originally signed in 2013 and extended in 2018.
As Secretary of State Blinken and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don reaffirmed through the 2022 U.S.-Thailand Communique on Strategic Alliance and Partnership, the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand have a steadfast commitment to the principles of mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual interest. The two countries are forged by shared history and common values, and anchored by a collective commitment to build resilient, inclusive democracies and advance human rights. The third U.S. – Thailand JCM represents reinvigoration of our in-person bilateral dialogues on science and technology cooperation, as we broaden and strengthen our collaboration. Continued scientific engagement and people-to-people ties between the United States and Thailand will not only propel both economies forward, but also lead toward a more resilient future for all citizens.
The United States and the Kingdom of Thailand prioritize research and development that benefits our citizens and is rooted in a shared commitment to foundational scientific values and principles, including openness, transparency, honesty, equity, fair competition, objectivity, and democratic values. Both partners work to create inclusive scientific research communities to consider the importance of preserving principles for scientific cooperation, such as promoting the integrity and security of the international scientific enterprise, and to encourage the participation in cooperative activities of researchers and organizations from all sectors.
This JCM reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to continue close partnership and coordination on science and technology cooperation.
