On 18 November 2019, H.E. Mr. Chainarong Keratiyutwong, Ambassador attached to the Ministry and Dean of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, together with Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and Ms. Jessica M. Elbaz, Secretary of the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation, delivered welcome speech to the participants of the 2019 United Nations Reginal Course in International Law for Asia - Pacific during 18 November - 13 December 2019 at UNESCAP, Bangkok. The course hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs and Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs) and the UNHQ (Office of Legal Affairs) New York Office.

          The course objectives are to promote the understanding on International Law for government officers and academics in the Asia - Pacific, to encourage regional networking among lawyers, and to strengthen cooperation between Thailand and the United Nations. In this year, there are 25 participants from 22 countries; namely Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Turkey and Thailand. The course content is composed of Law of Treaties, International Environmental Law, Law of the sea, International Peace and Security, Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, etc.

          Later, on 19 November 2019, H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted the welcoming reception for the said course’s participants at Vithes Samosorn Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Jessica M. Elbaz, Ms. Helene Tigroudja, lecturers, Mrs. Vilawan Mangklatanakul, Director-General of Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Ms. Chavanart Thangsumphant, Deputy Director-General of Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Mr. Sira Swangsilpa, Deputy Director-General of Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Touchayoot Pakdi, Advisor of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Border Administration were in attendence. Thai cultural performance and the Thai dessert demonstrations were organized.

          On 20 November 2019, Ms. Jessica M. Elbaz visited the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs to learn more about the Institute’s mission, especially its activities and training programmes offered.   

          The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has successfully co-hosted the United Nations Reginal Course in International Law for Asia - Pacific with the United Nations for 6 times. This reflects Thailand’s readiness to continuousely host the course and its commitment to developing a body of knowledge of international law and encouraging networking among lawyers across Asia - Pacific in order to build trust and understanding among them.