NHCO and French Embassy Strengthen Dialogue on Border Health, Climate Change and Global Health Cooperation

NHCO and French Embassy Strengthen Dialogue on

Border Health, Climate Change and Global Health Cooperation

Bangkok, 28 August 2026 — The National Health Commission Office (NHCO) and the Embassy of France in Thailand explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in global health, focusing on border health, climate change, migrant health and social participation.

The meeting brought together Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, senior advisor to NHCO   and Benjamin Bechaz, French Global Health Regional Counsellor for South-East Asia,  to exchange perspectives on emerging health challenges and identify areas where Thailand and France could learn from each other and strengthen collaboration. Both sides recognized that border health and climate change are increasingly important shared challenges, requiring stronger cooperation across sectors and countries.

The discussion reflected growing common concerns over the health impacts of geopolitical uncertainty, population mobility and climate change, and the need for stronger international cooperation to advance health security and equity.

Thailand’s Participatory Approach to Health Policy

The NHCO shared Thailand’s experience in participatory public policy process, highlighting its role as a facilitator and convener, the NHCO provides platforms, mechanisms and processes that support stakeholders to generate knowledge, develop policy proposals and translate evidence into policy action.

A key example is the National Health System Charter, which serves as a social contract for the country’s health system. Developed through a participatory process, the National Health System Charter is revised every five years. At the local level, communities are encouraged to develop their own health charters, while specific population groups, such as Buddhist monks and transgender people, are also empowered to develop health charters that reflect their specific needs and priorities.

The NHCO also highlighted the National Health Assembly (NHA) as an important mechanism for participatory policy process. Its resolutions address health beyond the healthcare system, including the social, economic, environmental, commercial and geopolitical determinants of health.

France’s Global Health Cooperation in Southeast Asia

The French Embassy shared an overview of France’s global health cooperation in Southeast Asia. The French Government’s Regional Counsellor for Global Health, based at the Embassy in Bangkok, plays a key role in overseeing and coordinating France’s global health cooperation in the region.

France’s cooperation in Thailand covers several areas. These include support related to the health dimensions of the crisis in Myanmar, with projects supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union working with organizations such as the SNRU Border Health Foundation and the Migrant Fund.

The discussion noted the relevance of Thailand’s experience in addressing geopolitical and border-related health challenges, including Resolution 18.2 of the 18th National Health Assembly on “Proactive Thai Health Systems amidst Geopolitical Turbulence,” which highlights the importance of strengthening health systems in response to geopolitical uncertainty and its implications for border populations.

France is also expanding its research cooperation with Thailand, particularly in One Health, through projects supported by AFD and direct collaboration between research institutions, including joint laboratories. Hospital-to-hospital cooperation is also growing in areas such as emergency medicine and surgical practice.

At the global level, France continues to engage in international health initiatives, including President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative on zoonotic diseases. France also continues its support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, including efforts related to Thailand’s transition.

 

Shared Values and a Common Vision

The meeting reaffirmed the shared values of Thailand and France in advancing Universal Health Coverage, social participation and health equity. Both sides recognized the importance of ensuring health support for everyone, particularly amid geopolitical uncertainty, population mobility and climate change.

NHCO and the French Embassy agreed to continue discussions to identify concrete opportunities for bilateral, regional and global health cooperation, building on Thailand’s experience in participatory health policy process and its growing role as a partner in regional and global health.