On June 2, 2026, Thailand, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), led by Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, in her capacity as the main coordinator for the OECD accession process, attended the Accession Coordination Meeting (ACM) at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, French Republic.
The meeting was organized to provide an opportunity for the eight OECD candidate countries—namely Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand—to exchange experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned from the accession process. Discussions focused on two key issues: the benefits derived from the OECD accession process and public communication strategies to build understanding and support from domestic citizens.
The meeting reflected diverse perspectives from each country regarding legal and regulatory reforms to align with OECD standards, the establishment of whole-of-government coordination mechanisms to drive work with unity, and the definition of timelines and proactive communication strategies to ensure operational continuity.
The Thai delegation emphasized the role of proactive communication in building public understanding of the tangible benefits of OECD-aligned reforms, such as improving the quality of public services, attracting high-standard investment, promoting good governance and transparency in the public sector, and elevating environmental and social standards. Thailand also presented innovative public communication approaches through digital media and online video clips to increase accessibility and broaden awareness among various groups regarding the importance of the OECD accession process.
On the same occasion, the NESDC held a bilateral discussion with Ms. Irena Alajbej, Acting Director-General for Economic Affairs (Trade and Investment) of Croatia, to exchange in-depth insights on Croatia’s experience in the OECD accession process. The discussion highlighted success factors, challenges, and approaches to managing potential constraints, while also exchanging views on the importance of bilateral relations with OECD member countries in supporting the process and establishing domestic structures and mechanisms to accommodate related missions.
Participation in this ACM is of great importance to Thailand, particularly in learning from the actual experiences of countries in the final stages of the accession process, such as Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria. This will help strengthen Thailand’s readiness and increase efficiency in driving the OECD membership process continuously and with clear objectives.
Story and Photos: International Strategy and Cooperation Coordination Division
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council