Royal Thai Embassy hosted U.S. – ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership Reception

On 10 July 2019, the Royal Thai Embassy hosted the U.S. – ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership Reception with a goal to foster further collaboration between ASEAN countries and the U.S. in bringing about smart and sustainable development in ASEAN. During the event, Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy Boosara Kanchanalai stressed Thailand’s priorities as the chair of ASEAN and reiterated that the U.S. has played a significant role in supporting ASEAN smart cities’ preparation process to better respond with today’s ever-growing technological demands. Present were delegates of ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), ASEAN Ambassadors and Deputy Heads of Mission, U.S. government representatives from various agencies, as well as participants from the private sector.

Diane Farrell, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Elizabeth Dugan, Vice President of the U.S. – ASEAN Business Council (USABC) joined Thailand in emphasizing the importance of partnerships between the U.S. and ASEAN for the latter to be equipped with cutting-edge technology and be the smartest possible in the modern digital world. Public-private partnership was also highlighted as one of the major key factors in facilitating sustainable development of smart cities in the region.