Deputy Minister of Interior Sasitorn Kittitharakul chaired the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE), emphasizing ASEAN's cooperation to promote policy proposals aimed at sustainably and securely improving the quality of life for people in the region.
On 12 Dec 2025 GMT+7 at 09:30, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul assigned Deputy Minister of Interior Ms. Sasitorn Kittitharakul to chair the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (14th AMRDPE) held at Anantara Siam Hotel, Bangkok.
Ms. Sasitorn said that throughout the 14th AMRDPE and the 22nd Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (22nd SOMRDPE), Thailand, hosting the meetings through the Ministry of Interior, was deeply inspired by the dedication and shared goals expressed by delegates from all member countries. This reflected that "When ASEAN stands united, our collective strength can truly uplift rural communities and open new opportunities for millions of people."
“The recommendations we considered today will be crucial in advancing ASEAN’s action plan framework in a concrete, people-centered way. They reaffirm our shared commitment to building a strong, prosperous, and sustainable region where everyone, especially rural communities, can live with dignity and hope.” On behalf of the Thai government, I sincerely thank the ministers, senior officials, ASEAN Secretariat members, and all parties who contributed to the success of this meeting. The outcomes, along with progress and achievements we created together, will be reported to the Prime Minister and Thai Cabinet,” she added.
Ms. Sasitorn further stated that we should maintain the spirit of cooperation demonstrated here and work together to transform ideas into real actions that strengthen communities and expand opportunities. This will ensure no one in ASEAN is left behind. With our combined efforts, we can create a future where rural populations in ASEAN are not only cared for but empowered to move forward steadily and together forever.
The meeting included Heads of Delegation at ministerial level from ASEAN member countries: H.E. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural Development and Regional Affairs, Malaysia; H.E. Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei; H.E. Lope B. Santos III, Secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippines; H.E. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, Singapore; H.E. Chanthanet Boulapha, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR; H.E. Thaik Soe, Deputy Minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Myanmar; H.E. Dr. Flavio Brandao, Deputy Minister of Health, Timor-Leste; H.E. Vo Van Hung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam; H.E. Dr. Fahad Ghalib Attamimi, Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Cooperation, Investment and Economic Development, Indonesia; Mr. San Lwin, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community; and H.E. Pen Pichsaly, Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Cambodia. Some participants joined online.
Additionally, senior ASEAN officials who are high-ranking civil servants from member countries attended the meeting, including Mr. Santithorn Yimlamai, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Interior and Head of Community Development and Local Governance Task Force (representing the Permanent Secretary of Interior), Ms. Nor Ashikin Johari, Permanent Secretary of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei; Mr. Beeto Wigantosa, Ministerial Expert and Public Administration Reform Adviser, Indonesia; Dr. Vongsavanh Vongkaisone, Deputy Director-General of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, Lao PDR; Mr. Khair Rusman Anuar, Permanent Secretary of Rural Development and Regional Affairs, Malaysia; Mr. Teng Lwin, Director-General of Rural Development, Myanmar; Ms. Mary Rose C. Villaflor, Supervisor and Deputy Director-General of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippines; Ms. Sara Abdullah, Senior Assistant Director for International Relations, Singapore; Mr. Felipe Cardoso Vieira, Director-General of Rural Development, Timor-Leste; Mr. Dinh Pham Hien, Senior Official of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam; Ms. Rodora Babaran, Director of Human Development, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department; as well as the Director-General of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, China, and Mr. Toru Kajiwara, Minister-Counsellor and Economic Head at the Embassy of Japan in Thailand. Mr. Sok Visal, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Rural Development, Cambodia, and Ms. Hwang Hae Jung, Deputy Secretary and Representative of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, participated online.