The French embassy has launched an “innovation year” to boost bilateral ties with Thailand through innovation diplomacy.
The “Year of Innovation Thailand-France 2023” was launched at an event in Benchakitti Park on Thursday.
During the event, both French and Thai officials said the launch of innovation diplomacy would tighten the relationship between the countries.
Innovation diplomacy is the use of all tools of a state to achieve its innovation interests in the global geopolitical arena.
France’s Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Minister Olivier Becht said innovation diplomacy was part of a Thai-French Relations (2022-2024) roadmap signed by the foreign ministers of the countries in Paris on Feb 22, last year aiming to enhance their strategic bilateral partnership by 2024.
“This diplomacy is a continuation after French President Emmanuel Macron visited as Apec’s guest last year and held talks with Gen Prayut on reinforcing an extraordinary partnership through the new roadmap,” Mr Becht said.
He said both countries were enriched with history, culture and a beautiful landscape that led to vibrant exchanges of people, but it was time to scale up relations into different areas to make the nations closer and more modern.
“The time has come to modernise our cultural perception as we create a new era of bilateral relations into innovative areas — from space to a strategic sector.
“Both countries are enriched with world-class business networks, scientists and researchers, and startups, which produce technology that makes a difference. So, we have decided to join forces to make progress in our new partnership,” the minister said.
In this new partnership on innovation, he said it would help to encourage development and improve technologies and innovations in various areas such as aerospace, agriculture, the Bio-Circular-Green economy, energy transition, infrastructural development, creative industry and many more areas to come.
Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong said the Thai government saw Thursday’s launch as a special event for Thailand, especially for the younger generation.
It is a great opportunity to emphasise the importance of innovation for the younger generations, who are society’s future, she said.
“It is significant for us to encourage and foster an innovative spirit from an early age. As space is part of this, it is a great opportunity to highlight this knowledge, to inspire and motivate young people to know the benefits of these innovations,” she said.