“Prime Minister Settha” held bilateral discussions. The Prime Minister of New Zealand emphasized the relationship of nearly seven decades before witnessing the signing of two agreements, raising the level of cooperation in all areas. Moving forward to strategic partnership in 2026 on 17 April 2024 after Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance welcome Mr. Christopher Laxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand On the occasion of his official visit to Thailand as a guest of the government. and join in inspecting the ranks of the Honor Guard at the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fa Building. Government House Then invite to the purple room. To introduce the Cabinet Then he was invited to the ivory-colored room outside. to sign the guest book and view souvenirs given by both sides to each other before discussing with a small group in the ivory-colored room inside After the discussion was completed, Mr. Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office Reveal the essence As follows: The Prime Minister welcomed the New Zealand Prime Minister and his delegation on the occasion of his official visit to Thailand. This is considered the first visit of the Prime Minister of New Zealand in 11 years and is a good opportunity to follow up and continue beneficial cooperation between us. After bilateral discussions between the two sides during the special ASEAN-Australia Summit in Melbourne in March 2024, especially in the areas of smart agriculture and livestock. Thailand wants to receive assistance from New Zealand from the New Zealand Prime Minister. Very pleased to visit Thailand this time. We also thanked the warm welcome from the Prime Minister. Emphasize the promotion of cooperation between each other and the preparation of joint plans. To elevate the relationship between each other to be “Strategic Partnership” in 2026, which is the 70th anniversary of relations between Thailand and New Zealand. The Prime Minister reiterated Thailand’s readiness to move forward with New Zealand. To promote cooperation that will lead to improved relations between us in 2026 or sooner. Later at 11:00 a.m., the Prime Minister of New Zealand Leading the delegation to pay a courtesy visit to Mr. Settha, along with high-ranking representatives of the New Zealand government sector. Along with representatives from the New Zealand private sector, 8 companies/agencies in 4 sectors: agriculture and food, energy, services and education. and motorboats and aviation by the Prime Minister It is believed that this visit will allow all parties to discuss and exchange experiences and suggestions. To expand trade and investment opportunities between Thailand and New Zealand. The government pushes several important economic policies. both stimulating the economy in the short term and long-term structural reforms to promote Thailand’s competitiveness. The New Zealand Prime Minister thanked him for his warm welcome. He also praised the Thai Prime Minister for his role in stimulating cooperation between business sectors. It is an important opportunity to bring together representatives from New Zealand’s leading businesses across a range of sectors. To know how to work together in the future New Zealand believes that integrating agricultural cooperation will be of great benefit to creating economic value for both countries. and important cooperation issues were discussed. In agriculture, Fonterra is New Zealand’s largest dairy co-operative. Agree on supporting small farmers or small farm Creating adequate water resources and development of agricultural technology To create income for farmers equally in the face of climate change, agreed on ways to reduce carbon emissions in the agricultural sector. Thailand aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Thailand’s rice farming It is also one of the factors that cause methane gas. New Zealand describes AgriZero NZ as working with industry, government and farmers to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while also reducing methane emissions from the livestock sector with support. Innovations and biotechnology such as genetically modified grasses that have low emissions which can be sold commercially Thailand is ready to exchange approaches in both agricultural innovation and research studies. Regarding renewable energy and the EV industry, Thailand aims to transition to the use of electric vehicles and wants to cover the entire ecosystem, including being a production base for automotive parts, batteries, and other things that can be produced from local raw materials. can while New Zealand companies such as Morrison, which specializes in investments Paying attention to sustainable infrastructure development Investing in wind power solar energy and batteries in Thailand, Hiringa Energy Ltd., a fully integrated green energy company We are pleased to support Thai companies that want to develop hydrogen energy in the country. In tourism, both sides are ready to push for direct flights between Thailand and New Zealand again. This will help improve connectivity between people and trade, and Air New Zealand sees the potential for continued growth. Tourists from both countries are the destinations for tourism between each other. While the Prime Minister said that 2024 will be the year of promoting Thai tourism. which includes festivals, concerts, and various Thai cultural activities It is believed that it will be able to attract many more groups of tourists. “The Prime Minister asked the New Zealand side to consider exempting visas for Thai passport holders. This will help facilitate traveling between each other more easily. Ready to propose a project of 6 countries, 1 destination to attract tourists from outside the region. Promote tourism to 6 countries in one trip” Education Both sides discussed the establishment of international schools in Thailand. Including the organization of courses and cooperation in professional fields. Various training Both in high schools, vocational schools and universities. The New Zealand Education Office is ready to exchange cooperation. as well as building good relations between exchange students of the two countries. At 11:40 a.m., Mr. Settha and the Prime Minister of New Zealand Witnessed the signing ceremony of two agreements: 1. Education Agreement Between the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Thailand and Massey University New Zealand and 2. Agreement on procurement, repair and maintenance between Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd., Thailand and NZSkydive Limited, New Zealand. After that, the Prime Ministers of Thailand and New Zealand held a joint press conference. A government spokesperson summarized the main points of the press conference that The Prime Minister is honored to welcome the New Zealand Prime Minister and his delegation. On the occasion of the New Zealand Prime Minister’s visit to Thailand in 11 years, both sides held constructive and comprehensive discussions. To promote closer cooperation between Thailand and New Zealand. Including discussions with the New Zealand private sector. and the signing of two agreements, with the Prime Minister emphasizing the important results from the discussions as follows: 1. Elevating the relationship between Thailand and New Zealand to a strategic partnership in 2026 or sooner. which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. To drive cooperation in every dimension and achieve the relationship between them to their fullest potential 2. Promoting cooperation in defense and security Especially the progress of the military cooperation plan between Thailand and New Zealand. and enhancing cooperation to combat transnational crimes. especially human and drug trafficking cyber security including terrorism and extreme ideas 3. Promoting economic cooperation Thailand and New Zealand aim to triple the value of trade between them by 2045, which will be in line with the closer economic partnership agreement. Thailand-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (TNZCEP), which has increased bilateral trade of both sides since 2005, Thailand and New Zealand will strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, including agricultural technology. smart agriculture food technology Renewable energy precision medicine and digital technology The Prime Minister is also pleased to discuss with the New Zealand private sector group this time. It is believed that it will help strengthen investment opportunities in Thailand in the future. Especially in Thai industries and target projects. Including in the project Landbridge 4. Promoting relationships at the people-to-people level There are approximately 13,000 Thai people living in New Zealand and it is also a popular educational destination for Thai students. Therefore agreed to strengthen cooperation in education. and culture more closely In the issue of tourism Both sides stressed the importance of visa facilitation. and the resumption of direct flights between each other To support the goal of increasing the number of New Zealand tourists to Thailand to 100,000 people and Thai tourists to New Zealand to 40,000 people by 2025. In addition, both sides are ready to seek cooperation and learn from each other’s good practices. In terms of sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism recovery (Regenerative Tourism) including tourism in the footsteps of movies (movie-induced tourism) At the same time, the two sides discussed their roles in promoting peace, stability, sustainability, and prosperity at the regional and international levels. Thailand welcomes New Zealand’s intention to become a development partner of ACMECS, which is in line with the strategic cooperation between ASEAN – New Zealand and New Zealand’s intention to promote ASEAN – New Zealand relations. To become a comprehensive strategic partner (Comprehensive Strategic Partnership) by 2025. The Prime Minister thanked New Zealand for its readiness to consider supporting Thailand in its application for membership in the OECD, including supporting Thailand’s representative in its application for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). Agenda 2025-2027 and both sides talked about issues related to the region. world issues As for the Myanmar situation, Thailand has provided humanitarian assistance and is closely monitoring the situation. and hopes that all parties will move forward towards peaceful negotiations. and comply with the 5-point consensus of ASEAN.” The Prime Minister emphasized that Thailand gives importance to and closely follows the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border. and hope for peace, tranquility and stability in Myanmar Thailand has worked with many parties. To support finding a peaceful solution including providing humanitarian support to those affected.” In the end, the Prime Minister believed that This visit will mark the beginning of a new era of closer relations between Thailand and New Zealand. Ensuring that bilateral cooperation and relations between the peoples of the two countries It will strengthen our friendship and partnership for decades to come. On this occasion, the Prime Minister of New Zealand welcomed the celebration of the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2026, marking a long and stable relationship. stably Especially trade relations, economics and relations between people. The two countries agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and aim to triple their trade by 2045. In closing, the New Zealand Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Thai Government for their support. Welcoming the group very well. who believes that both countries still have potential and there was a mutual opinion that there was an opportunity for the two leaders to work together again. Then the Prime Minister Hosted a luncheon in honor of the Prime Minister of New Zealand and his delegation.
