Mon Sep 23 21:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Thailand Aims to Revitalize Asia Cooperation Dialogue: Can Paetongtarn Shinawatra Make it a Force to be Reckoned With?

**Bangkok, Thailand** – The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), established in 2002 under the vision of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, faces a pivotal moment. With Thailand assuming the ACD chair next year, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thaksin, is poised to play a key role in revitalizing the organization.

The ACD, a pan-Asian platform for economic integration and cooperation, has been criticized as an “Asian talk shop,” lacking concrete achievements. However, with the geopolitical landscape shifting towards a more active Asian role in global affairs, the ACD’s potential remains significant.

Paetongtarn’s participation in the upcoming ACD Leaders’ Meeting in Doha, Qatar, represents a crucial opportunity for her to champion the ACD’s revival. As the youngest female prime minister in the region and a representative of the ACD’s founding nation, she carries unique influence.

The ACD, with its 35 members including major economies like China, India, and Japan, offers a powerful forum for dialogue and cooperation. However, it faces challenges in navigating the current geopolitical landscape, where powerful Asian nations have divergent interests and face increasing superpower rivalry.

Thailand’s leadership seeks to address these challenges by promoting cooperation, building resilience across multiple sectors, and enhancing collaboration with other international organizations. The upcoming Doha meeting could see a more assertive security focus, with the Middle East crisis likely to be a key discussion point.

Key objectives for Thailand’s ACD chairmanship include strengthening the organization’s role as a policy dialogue forum, fostering understanding and trust among members, and harnessing the ACD’s potential for economic integration through investments and trade.

The success of Thailand’s efforts will hinge on Paetongtarn’s leadership and ability to navigate the complex dynamics within the ACD. The question remains: Can she turn her father’s vision into a reality and make the ACD a driving force for a more balanced and cooperative Asia in the 21st century?

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