Bangkok, Thailand – February 13, 2025 – The South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN), based in Washington, DC, and the Nation-Building International Institute (NBII) in Thailand have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 7, 2025, in Thailand. This landmark agreement aims to strengthen research collaboration and academic exchange across Thailand and Southeast Asia, with SAFN focusing on foreign policy, security, and futures research in the region.
During the ceremony, the former Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) under the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence, who currently serves as the Executive Director of SAFN, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to geopolitics and international relations. In acknowledgment of his expertise, he was appointed as a Fellow at NBII and an Expert Committee Member of the International Relations Institute (IRI) in Thailand. Additionally, he was invited to serve on the editorial board of several prestigious academic journals, including the Journal of Social Science Research and Innovation (SSRI), the Journal of Future Studies for Development (JFSD), and the Journal of Nation-Building Research (JNBR).
Speaking on the significance of this partnership, Prof. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, Chairman of NBII, highlighted Thailand’s strategic role in the region: “As ASEAN’s second-largest economy, Thailand stands at a crucial geopolitical crossroads. This partnership will create new opportunities to develop high-impact research that strengthens regional cooperation between South and Southeast Asia.”
This agreement comes at a critical moment as the region faces increasing geopolitical competition among major powers. The collaboration is expected to serve as a platform for scholars, policymakers, and researchers to engage in cutting-edge studies on economic development, security, and foreign policy dynamics, thereby contributing to informed decision-making in the region.
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera underscored Thailand’s evolving diplomatic role, citing Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ongoing visit to China as an example of pragmatic foreign policy. He drew parallels with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent engagement in China, emphasizing Thailand’s growing importance in shaping regional diplomacy. “Thailand’s civilizational ties, rooted in its rich Buddhist heritage, naturally connect it with nations such as Sri Lanka. This MOU opens new pathways for researchers to foster synergies between South Asia and Southeast Asia, deepening regional cooperation.”
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in fostering academic and policy-oriented research, further solidifying Thailand’s role as a key player in regional and international affairs.
