Chiefs of UN, IMF to join Asean heads
The UN secretary-general and the IMF managing director will join the leaders of the 10 Asean nations and their dialogue partners attending the 35th Asean Summit in Bangkok and Nonthaburi next weekend, a government spokeswoman said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha yesterday chaired a meeting of the national committee tasked with planning the arrangements for the Asean Summit and related meetings, which will take place from Nov 2-4.
Gen Prayut said that Thailand, as the current Asean chair, must show the world it is well-prepared to host the summit. Several foreign leaders had inquired about the summit during his recent trip to Japan, he added.
Gen Prayut also said that important details of June’s G20 meeting in Japan, which he attended on behalf of Asean, will be incorporated as topics for discussion at the Asean Summit.
Leaders of Asean and the Asean Plus Three dialogue group — Japan, South Korea and China — will meet on Nov 4, a day after the summit’s officially begins.
Other dialogue partners in attendance will be Australia, India and New
Zealand, as well as UN secretary-general António Guterres, and the IMF’s managing director Kristalina Georgieva, said government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat.
US President Donald Trump has also been invited, though his attendance has yet to be confirmed, she added.
Gen Prayut stressed that security arrangements for the Asean Summit must be of an international standard and motorcades carrying foreign leaders to meetings must be swift and efficient, said Ms Narumon.
National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday chaired a meeting of police agencies to prepare for the summit.
Speaking after the meeting, assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that apart from security measures, preparations also involve traffic management, and methods to deal with possible protests that may arise during the Asean meetings.
Emergency response drills will be held tomorrow and Monday, and counter-terrorism drills will take place on Tuesday, Pol Lt Gen Damrongsak said, adding that security drills will also be conducted at hotels where summit attendees are staying.