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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.

On September 17, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), together with Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador in Dili, and their delegation, met Ms. Ines Araujo Goncalves, Principal Coordinator, Blue Economy Unit, Land and Maritime Boundary Office, and her delegation. The meeting, held at the Land and Maritime Boundary Office in Dili, Timor-Leste, focused on opportunities for blue economy cooperation between Thailand and Timor-Leste. The discussions were intended to provide information on Timor-Leste’’s blue economy policies and development direction and to identify needs for projects involving marine and coastal resources. Key issues included upgrading the fisheries and fish-processing industries, developing sustainable coastal fisheries, and promoting environmentally responsible coastal tourism. The Land and Maritime Boundary Office plays a central role in land and maritime boundary affairs and in advancing the blue economy through its Blue Economy Unit. Its work supports Timor-Leste government policy aimed at using marine and coastal resources to generate economic growth while promoting conservation and sustainable responses to climate change. The discussions were intended to identify opportunities that could lead to concrete cooperation and further strengthen development cooperation between Thailand and Timor-Leste.

On September 17, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), together with Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador in Dili, and their delegation, met representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Timor-Leste at the World Bank Country Office in Dili, Timor-Leste. Mr. David Freedman, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Timor-Leste, and Mr. Artur Andrysiak, Country Director, ADB Timor-Leste, participated in the discussions. The meeting was intended to provide NEDA with information on Timor-Leste’’s development policies and direction, as well as the strategies and operational approaches of the World Bank and ADB. The participants also exchanged information on sectors and projects with potential for future cooperation between NEDA and Timor-Leste, including financial terms and procedures for developing cooperation projects. The World Bank presented its development and support priorities for Timor-Leste, while ADB presented its Country Partnership Strategy and strategic cooperation framework. The participants exchanged views and recommendations on approaches to project development that would align with Timor-Leste’’s priorities and needs. The discussions provided an opportunity to exchange information on Timor-Leste’’s development direction and explore ways to expand cooperation and develop potential projects that could produce tangible results under development cooperation between Thailand and Timor-Leste.

On September 17, 2026, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and his delegation, together with Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador in Dili, met Ms. Regina de Jesus at the Ministry of Finance of Timor-Leste. The meeting included an exchange of broad development policy information, as well as a presentation of financial terms and cooperation procedures for future development projects. The discussions sought cooperation approaches consistent with Timor-Leste’’s needs and aligned with NEDA’’s cooperation strategy and Mid-Term Plan 1. The two sides jointly considered a possible three-year cooperation plan for 2027-2030 covering potential development projects involving several ministries, with a focus on Regional Integration. Particular attention was given to preparations for and support of Timor-Leste’’s accession to ASEAN, as well as strengthening economic, social and environmental connectivity to deepen international relations and cooperation and promote sustainable shared growth.