Thailand to host Development Forum for Africa

Thailand is hosting its first development forum with Africa this week, aiming to deepen South-South cooperation through the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) model.

The week-long forum, taking place from May 11–16, will bring together delegates from 15 African nations to explore collaborative pathways for addressing shared socio-economic and environmental challenges.

Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and funded by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), the forum underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing South-South cooperation by sharing its homegrown development strategies.

The forum builds on the country’s decade-long “Thai-Africa Initiative,” launched in 2013.

It also aligns with global frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Despite these ambitious plans, many nations still struggle to translate policy into practice.

Senior officials at the level of Permanent Secretaries or heads of development cooperation agencies - or their representatives—from 15 African countries will attend the Forum. The countries include: Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Somalia and Uganda.

Thailand, however, has successfully leveraged its Sufficiency Economy Philosophy - a holistic development model based on the wisdom of King Bhumibol Adulyadej - to promote progress in agriculture, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and poverty reduction.

“Africa and Thailand face similar vulnerabilities, from climate pressures to economic inequities,” said a senior Thai official familiar with Thai-African relations.

“By sharing the SEP’s principles of moderation, resilience, and ethical governance, we aim to foster actionable solutions,” the official added.

The forum’s two-day agenda focuses on four pillars, showcasing Thailand’s SEP-driven initiatives in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and universal healthcare.

Together with Thai experts, participants will address multidimensional challenges including urbanization, resource management, and social inequality.

Moreover, Thai and African experts will strengthen peer-to-peer cooperation to identify joint projects for future collaboration, including trilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Following the meetings, delegates will visit key sites showcasing agricultural innovation, the universal healthcare system, and community-based tourism.

In addition, participants will engage with local communities to gain deeper insights into Thailand’s global halal hub, community-driven urban housing initiatives, and efforts to reduce waste and carbon emissions.