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On October 16, 2026, Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director, and Representatives of NEDA attended the Asia-DAC Dialogue on Development at Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok. The meeting provided a platform for members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and Asian development cooperation providers to exchange views amid a changing development cooperation landscape. Key issues included the widening financing gap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), declining official development assistance (ODA) budgets in several countries, and renewed interest in leveraging trade and investment to strengthen development cooperation. The discussions highlighted the role of Asian countries with extensive experience in South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation, emphasizing capacity building and mutual learning. Participants also noted that an increasing number of countries have transitioned from being recipients of development assistance to becoming providers.

On October 15, 2026, a delegation from the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), led by Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President and Acting President of NEDA, held bilateral discussions with H.E. Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and his delegation during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting focused on progress and implementation plans for cooperation projects between NEDA and Bhutan, particularly the 100 MW Taraythan Agrivoltaic Project. NEDA has approved technical assistance (TA) for reviewing the project’’s feasibility study and preparing its detailed design, and is currently drafting the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the engagement of consultants to conduct the study and detailed design work. The Taraythan Agrivoltaic Project falls under the Environmental and Green Energy Project and represents the first cooperation project between NEDA and Bhutan. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to advance other potential projects aligned with NEDA’’s Cooperation Strategy with Neighboring Countries for 2026–2030, with the aim of delivering concrete outcomes and further strengthening sustainable development cooperation between Thailand and Bhutan.

On October 14, 2026, Mr. Theeraj Athanavanich, Chairperson of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), was invited to participate in the forum "Development Finance in Transition – Rating a Changing Landscape," organized by Fitch Ratings at JW Marriott Bangkok. He joined panelists from various sectors in a discussion on "Blended Finance and Balance Sheet Optimization Schemes for MDBs." During the session, Mr. Theeraj outlined NEDA’’s role and responsibilities as a government agency tasked with implementing development cooperation policies with neighboring countries through financial and technical assistance. He also discussed opportunities to apply blended financing in collaboration with private-sector organizations and multilateral development banks to address public budget constraints and improve NEDA’s operational efficiency.

Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), joined a delegation led by Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on a field visit to inspect and identify the construction site for the Ban Xieng Mene–Luang Prabang Bridge Project in Luang Prabang. The visit provided an opportunity to assess actual site conditions and receive updates on the project’’s progress and implementation details ahead of the planned commencement of construction. The visit also represented a follow-up to the outcomes of the 23rd Meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on Thailand–Lao PDR Cooperation. The Cabinet approved NEDA’’s provision of financial assistance to the Lao PDR in the form of a loan totaling THB 1,783,671,500 for the construction of a bridge across the Mekong River, connecting Ban Xieng Mene with Luang Prabang. The project is expected to reduce travel times, improve convenience and safety for passengers and freight transport, and address limitations on cross-river transportation. It also builds on the earlier Hongsa – Chomphet District Road Construction Project in Luang Prabang Province, for which NEDA previously provided financial assistance to the Lao PDR. The road has played an important role in linking Nan Province in Thailand with Luang Prabang in the Lao PDR, which are sister cities, while strengthening the continuity of the regional transport network.

On October 2, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and his delegation attended the 23rd Meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on Thailand–Lao PDR Cooperation at Pullman Luang Prabang in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR. Following the opening ceremony, the two co-chairs exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and received a report on the Senior Officials’’ Meeting (SOM). The meeting subsequently endorsed the draft minutes of the 23rd JC Meeting before its conclusion. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Kirati presented a plaque commemorating the financial assistance provided for the Ban Xieng Mene–Luang Prabang Bridge Construction Project in the Lao PDR to Mr. Chanthali Chansompeng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Finance under the Lao Ministry of Finance, who received it on behalf of the Lao side. The two co-chairs witnessed the presentation, after which all participants gathered for a group photograph.

On October 1, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and his delegation attended the Senior Officials’’ Meeting (SOM) for The 23rd Meeting of the Joint Commission (JC) on Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and the Lao PDR. The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, was held from September 30 to October 2, 2026, in Luang Phrabang, Lao PDR. In the morning, NEDA participated in the SOM economic subgroup to review the draft minutes of the JC meeting. In the afternoon, the delegation attended the full SOM session to prepare for the JC meeting. The SOM serves as a preparatory mechanism for the JC, which is intended to discuss approaches to developing bilateral cooperation across all dimensions, deepen relations between the two countries, and support shared security and development. Through its participation, NEDA followed economic cooperation issues between Thailand and the Lao People’’s Democratic Republic, particularly infrastructure development and regional connectivity. These areas are consistent with NEDA’’s mission of providing financial and technical cooperation to neighboring countries, and the information obtained will be used in considering future projects.