The group of experts from Japan paid a courtesy call on Mr. Banjong Jumnong Sittham, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries
On November 25, 2019, at the YiSok meeting room, 2nd floor, Chulabhorn Building, Department of Fisheries, the group of experts from Japan paid a courtesy call on Mr. Bunchong Chumnongsittathum, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, Thailand, as well as studied the status and technical requirements to manage and plan the operation for the ports and improving fishery areas. (Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3801)
Preparing for the 2nd ASEAN Meeting for Combating IUU Fishing in Partnership with the EU
On November 22, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. at the Kuladam Meeting Room, 7th floor, Chulabhorn Building, Department of Fisheries. Mr. Mesak Pakdeekong, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, chaired of the meeting to prepare for the 2nd ASEAN Meeting for Combating IUU Fishing in Partnership with the EU, which is scheduled for 13-14 December 2019 at the Conrad Hotel Bangkok. To discuss ways of cooperation in the regional fishery management network that facilitates balanced and sustainable resource utilization with relevant agencies consist of (1) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand (2) Department of European Affairs (3) Marine Department (4) Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs (5) Marine Police Division (6) Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (7) Thai Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center (Thai-MECC) and (8) Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3796
Thailand has been praised and appreciated by FAO
Thailand has been praised for a model for sustainable agriculture development and appreciated for achieving in combatting the Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), also support the Thai role in the international arena. On 21 November 2019, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with Mr. Pholphisin Suvanachai, Director of the Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, Thailand and Mr. Thanawat Tiensin, Ambassadeur (Agricultural Affaires) Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Rome-Based Agencies for Food and Agriculture (FAO / IFAD / WFP), paid a courtesy call on Deputy Director-General Daniel Gustavson United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the headquarters of Rome, Italy. Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said that he would like to thank FAO for the great support and cooperation with Thailand throughout the years. Thailand would support the matching concept for the development "Hand-in-Hand Initiative" of the new FAO's Director-General and Blue Growth Initiative besides, South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in past cooperation. Thailand has expanded collaboration in agricultural and economic development with neighboring countries and countries outside ASEAN and joined with the Thai private sector. "Thailand is ready to cooperate and pass on knowledge and experience in the development of integrated agriculture from upstream to downstream, especially with the emphasis on small-scale farmers, women and youth groups, and ready to upgrade Thailand to be Center of regional excellence in agriculture and food," Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said. Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said that the Thai government and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister gave importance to agriculture and fisheries because Thailand was the 12th largest exporter of agricultural and food products in the world. Thailand has developed a system for producing agricultural and food products to comply with international standards. During the 35th ASEAN Summit, the Thai government has driven for regional cooperation. Thailand has proposed a project to "Promote cooperation for sustainable fisheries in the ASEAN region" to encourage the establishment of ASEAN fisheries policy and the establishment of an ASEAN network to combat IUU Fishing. The adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives has informed the FAO of the policy and operational guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which has changed the view of the work by driving Agriculture 4.0, using digital technology information systems to support agricultural production. Such as the AgriTech and Innovation Center in 77 provinces, which is a linkage between government, private sector, universities, and farmer institution. Including developing an e-commerce system connecting farmers to the market. "At present, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Giving importance to organic production and food that is safe for consumers. By driving for more certification of organic plots while also supporting the promotion of large-scale farming. To join a group of farmers and smart farmers to run and conduct businesses together, also to reduce production and strengthen the particular group," The adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives reported. After that, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut and the group paid a courtesy call on Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Mr. Gilbert Houngbo said that IFAD was one of the UN organizations. It acted like the agricultural bank of the world and was established to assist 176 member countries in developing and supporting the linkage of agriculture and business with investment in developing countries. To strengthen the intensity and improve well-being for farmers, youth, and women in rural areas. Most help was a low-interest loan program or funds for academic development, technological innovation, finance, and marketing. Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut mentioned the policies and directions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the government has given importance to improving farmers' livelihoods and creating opportunities for farmers to access funds to improve production. "Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture is developing Big Data and AI for agriculture. Furthermore, Thailand has adopted the concepts of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to achieve sustainable development goals," he said. Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut thanked IFAD for hosting the meeting "Mekong Knowledge and Sharing Fair" in Bangkok in July 2019. To promote the exchange of experiences of the Mekong countries and to elevate the participation of small-scale farmers with the private sector and financial institutions in the agricultural sector. And he also thanked IFAD for supporting Thailand as the World Food Security (CFS) president. Besides, preparing to report to Dr. Chalermchai Srion, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, regarding cooperation with FAO and IFAD to join forces with the United Nations and increase the role of Thailand as a world leader in agriculture and food. Also, the opportunity that Thailand has been elected chairman of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) between 2019-2021. Reference Link : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3791
FAO announced Fisheries Sustainability Policy, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut emphasized Thailand, ready to move forward to Blue Economy and international cooperation against IUU fishing
Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives along with the representatives of Thailand consist of (1) Mr. Pholphisin Suvanachai, Director of Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division (2) Mr. Thanawat Tiensin, Ambassadeur (Agricultural Affaires) Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Rome-based (3) Miss Ratchanok Sangpenchan, Assistant Agriculture Attache (Agricultural Affairs) and (4) Mrs. Supajit Sriariyawat, First Secretary (Agricultural Affairs). They attended the opening ceremony of "FAO International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability – Strengthening the Science-Policy Nexus" On 18 November 2019 at 2.00 p.m. (local time), The meeting will be held during 18-21 November 2019 at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said that this meeting was a major turning point for the fisheries sector. FAO had invited academicians and policymakers at various levels from international organizations, including representatives from regional, national, and civil society or third sector, attended a meeting to reform and build the foundation of the fishery sector for sustainability and new concepts on Blue Economy. "The problems that the world faces right now, whether environmental, socio-economic, and climate change reflect the vulnerability of the fishery sector resulting in the problem of poverty and the hunger of the world. That all sectors must change their mindset or create a new perspective on marine resource management with Blue Economy. In which they must work together, using digital technology information systems to support work, giving the next generation opportunities who creative to share an idea and work together. So be able to create a turning point and lead to concrete solutions," Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said. He also said that, at that time, Dr. Chalermchai Srion, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Department of Fisheries, had redesigned their work process. By establishing a committee to revitalize and develop Thailand's fishing potential to drive integrated service with technology and modern innovation, as Thailand is the world's leading exporter of food and fishery. During the opening ceremony, Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Mr. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, demanded the Member States to participate in solving the degradation of fishery resources. Mr. Qu Dongyu called on them to set a big goal and take action seriously, "We need to aim big and do concrete things!". Also, propose a sustainable fishery approach based on FAO's Blue Growth Initiative. By focusing on reforming the fishery sector for sustainable investment. Concentrate on balancing marine ecosystems and society and economy, and most importantly, responsible fishing. With preventive measures, marine resource management, including Fish waste management and Fish industry waste management, to be able to be recycled efficiently. In parts of Mr. Peter Thomson demanded the Member States to participate in the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) of FAO. Its objective is to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing and leading to the implementation of Sustainable Development goals of the United Nations according to Goal 14: Life below water of the United Nations. He also informed that in 2020 would promote the creation of a new dimension of nature. It would begin with the Ocean Conference, to drive the Ocean Action Plan. Second, the meeting of the UN Biodiversity Conference to push the framework of biodiversity in the post-2020 era. Furthermore, IUCN World Conservation Congress, also UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), so that all parties would protect and preserve the ocean to bring back the sea to normal and produce food for the earth's organism as it once had been. Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut also said Thailand had continuously participated in the meeting and communicated to the World community in the international arena on the determination and success of Thailand to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing, also promoting sustainable and responsible fisheries. The systematically had implemented fisheries reform in Thailand according to international rules and regulations until ้had been accepted internationally. For example, in November 2019, Thailand had chaired the meeting The 35th ASEAN Summit, Thailand had proposed "the ASEAN Cooperation on Sustainable Fisheries Project" and pushed "the ASEAN General Fishery Policy." and drove the establishment of "the ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing: AN – IUU." "From past operations, Thailand has examples of achievements and experiences that can be shared its expertise. And Thailand stands ready to provide policy advice and technical assistance to member countries. FAO also foresees the potential of Thailand at this point. Moreover, Thailand will continue to push the development of projects to expand cooperation with countries," Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said. During the meeting, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut met with Norway's Minister of Fisheries and Director-General of the Department of Fisheries from ASEAN Countries, including participating fishery academicians as well. Source : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3785/all_activity/40
the Department of Fisheries signs an MoU with the Utokapat Foundation, the Hydro - Informatics Institute (Public Organization), to increase the efficiency of water management and fishery resources together
On 18 November 2019, at the Chaipattana Foundation, Mr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of the Utokapat Foundation, under the royal patronage, along with Mr. Suthat Wisakun, director of the Hydro - Informatics Institute (Public Organization) and Mr. Mesak Pakdeekong, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "Development of Water Resources Information Technology for Water Management in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and the extension of the community network in water resource management according to the royal initiative." To support, connect, and exchange information in various fields. Also, to increase the efficiency of water management and fishery resources together. Mr. Mesak Pakdeekong, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, said that for the signing ceremony for the agreement consists of (1) the Department of Fisheries, (2) Ministry of Agriculture, (3) the Utokapat Foundation, and (4) the Hydro - Informatics Institute (Public Organization) would cooperate in the development of water resources information technology for water management together with the Department of Fisheries. Plus, it is further expanding the network of community water resources management according to the royal initiative, which supports water resources data for the benefit of fisheries to achieve integrated, more efficient, and tangible operations. Currently, water management for fishers is a necessity and an urgent need. Because Thailand has continuously variable weather, resulting in farmers being affected by drought and flooding that is sudden and unable to solve the problem quickly. Therefore, exchanging water situation information from this agreement will help solve the water management problems for farmers faster, especially farmers who raise fish in floating cages, both closed and open water sources such as rivers and canals, including the coastline. To assist in planning surveillance and compensating for damages in the event of a situation. Finally, the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries said that from the signing of this MoU, they would use the information from such cooperation on maximum benefits to farmers. By developing fishery information to enable farmers to be aware of the current water situation in their careers and to prevent possible damage, resulting in better living conditions and stable income, leading to livelihoods sustainable in the future. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3780
DOF provides support INFOFISH on the World Shrimp Trade Conference & Exposition 2019
On November 12, 2019, at 9.00 a.m., the Department of Fisheries provides support INFOFISH on the World Shrimp Trade Conference & Exposition 2019, which will take place during 12 - 14 November 2019 at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok. H.E. Semi Koroilavesau, The Minister for Fisheries Commander, Republic of Fiji. Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, INFOFISH Director, and Mr. Thaworn Jirasophonrak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, acted an honor as president and gave the opening remarks at "the World Shrimp Trade Conference & Exposition 2019". The conference was a forum for publicizing shrimp farming technology, production standards, harvesting, and processing products, as well as related trade and investment, resulting in the benefit of the Thai shrimp industry from upstream to downstream. At the end of such the meeting, there were over 200 participants attended from all regions of the world. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3765/all_activity/60