On 27 August 2025, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, was invited to attend the Plenary Session of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Regional Cooperation Roundtable under the theme “Forging Ahead Regional Cooperation for New Progress of Asia-Pacific Integration”, organised by the BFA in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia during 26 - 27 August 2025 at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The Plenary Session featured the Special Address by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia; the Opening Remarks by Mr. Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the BFA; and the remarks by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Chairman of the BFA Board and former UN Secretary-General, and Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The Forum was well attended by over 150 participants, including panellists, representatives from the public and private sectors, and members of the diplomatic corps in Malaysia.

 

Prime Minister Anwar delivered a Special Address on the topic “Towards a New Era of Sovereign Interdependence”, underlining the importance of the nations’ interdependence that is based on sovereignty, choice, resilience and mutual respect in addressing current geopolitical challenges, economic volatility and fragmentation, and the advancement of the digital technology, while highlighting Malaysia’s role as the Chair of ASEAN in 2025.

 

On this occasion, the Ambassador welcomed Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, who was invited to deliver a leading remarks on “More Openness & Better Connectivity - The Future of Asia-Pacific Integration” and an intervention on “Revitalize the Bandung Spirit for Stronger Solidarity and Cooperation”.

 

In the evening of 26 August 2025, the Ambassador was also invited to attend the Forum’s Welcoming Dinner and engage with the Forum’s panellists as well as participating public and private sector representatives.