2002 OSCE-Thailand conference

This high-level OSCE conference in Bangkok focuses on the human dimension of security, particularly the threats posed by drug and human trafficking, their social and economic aspects, and the prospects for co-operation between the OSCE and the Asia-Pacific region.

The OSCE maintains special relations with a number of non-member States. In Asia, these are Japan, Korea and Thailand. They are known as "Partners for Co-operation" and they participate in a number of OSCE activities, including meetings with a view to maintaining dialogue and an exchange of information on issues of mutual concern.

This will be the third OSCE-Partner State Conference to be held in Asia, after those hosted by Japan in 2000 and Korea in 2001.

Seeking a meeting of minds

Our aim is to seek common ground - a meeting of minds - so that we can determine how best to prevent these issues [drugs and human trafficking] from becoming a source of instability and mistrust not only within our region but also between the OSCE region and ours," said the Ambassador of Thailand in Vienna, Sorayouth Prompoj in an interview for the OSCE Newsletter.

"We cannot impose our societies' values upon one other, but we can at least open our eyes and ears to each other's way of protecting and promoting the interests of our citizens".

The conference brings together representatives of OSCE participating States, the Organization's Asian and Mediterranean Partners and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Delegates from a number of international and regional organizations - including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, Organization of the Islamic Conference, as well as the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings - will also attend.

Key speakers include Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, the Foreign Minister of Thailand, Mr. Mihnea Motoc of Romania, representing the OSCE Troika, and the OSCE Secretary General, Jan Kubis.