On 17 August 2021, H.E. Mr. Asi Mamanee, Ambassador Attached to the Ministry and Dean of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) presided over an opening session of the online training course on “Knowledge of Diplomacy (KOD): Diplomacy and Sustainability in the Rapidly Fast-Changing World”, organized between 17 August - 2 September 2021 and more than 40 foreign diplomats from more than 30 countries attended. During his opening remarks, Ambassador Asi stressed the importance of the KOD to help enhance knowledge and skills for diplomats to cope with challenges in the rapidly fast-changing global environment, increase international cooperation, and expand diplomatic networks.

          On this occasion, Ms. Wiraka Moodhitaporn, Director of the DVIFA delivered welcoming remarks and emphasized the main topic and sub-topics of this year’s KOD, which are dedicated to the COVID-19 pandemic situation and its management. This was followed by the first training session on “Thailand Foreign Policy & MFA Thailand’s 20-Year Strategy” by Mrs. Hattaya Khusakul, Director of the Office of Policy and Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

          The KOD’s first training day was concluded by the participants’ sharing session on “Domestic Management of the COVID-19 and Post-Pandemic Recovery Paths”, in which participants exchanged information of how their countries managed the COVID-19 situation and shared forward-looking approaches in the post-COVID world.

          The KOD has been held on a yearly basis since 2013 and has brought together more than 70 international participants from more than 50 countries, with the objectives of strengthening knowledge and better understanding about Thailand and Thailand’s roles in the international arena, with the highlight on sustainable development and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). The KOD is also a platform where the international participants can exchange perspectives and share information on topics of mutual interests, relating to diplomacy and international affairs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s KOD is organized in an online format.