The revival of the International Studies Centre was marked by an official launch ceremony on 5 September 2019, which was presided over by H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Former and current Thai diplomats, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Thai government agencies and research institutions, the press and members of the academic community attended the event. 

      During his opening speech*, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs explained that as was the case with the original ISC, founded in 1987, the re-launch of ISC was prompted by today’s major changes in global and regional landscape. He referred to the escalating rivalry between major and regional powers, rapid technology advancement, as well as a number of non-traditional threats and challenges. The Vice Minister stressed the need for partnership focused on sustainability as a means to address these issues. Hence, sustainability was not only central to Thailand’s national strategy but had been adopted as the theme for Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019, namely “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”. 

      The Vice Minister further emphasized that the world be that ISC would be the Foreign Ministey’s link with the existing network of national and international think-tanks and institutes, affiliated experts from multiple fields, including academics, policy-makers, diplomats or members of civil society in order to exchange ideas and provide inputs for Thailand’s foreign policy-making. It was crucial to reactivate ISC to support the process of crafting clear-sighted and forward-looking policy. In order to achieve this objective, ISC would organize national and international conferences and seminars involving the public, private, and academic sectors, and carry out research and studies on various issues which can be beneficial to the conduct of Thailand’s foreign policy and foreign affairs. It would also cooperate with other similar organizations and institutions, both in Thailand and abroad, in promoting the study of international affairs and publish the results of the Centre's studies and other materials for dissemination.