BANGKOK, Thailand — The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Thailand Office organized the 2026 KOICA Local CSO Networking Program on September 18, 2026, at Jubilee Prestige Hotel Ratchadapisek in Bangkok, bringing together Korean and Thai civil society organizations to exchange experiences, build networks, and explore opportunities for future cooperation.
The program aimed to strengthen connections between Korean NGOs and local civil society organizations working across diverse development sectors, while also introducing KOICA Thailand’s work and potential channels for developing future Public-Private Partnership projects.
Participants represented areas including community development, education, human rights, labour protection, humanitarian assistance, and support for vulnerable groups. Key participating organizations included Korean NGOs such as Global Civic Sharing (GCS), International Justice Mission (IJM) Korea, Good Neighbors, Asian Women’s Network, and Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI), together with Thai and locally based organizations including The Border Consortium (TBC), The Mirror Foundation, Kenan Foundation Asia, Manushya Foundation, and IJM Thailand, together with high-level representative from Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA).
The event provided participants with opportunities to introduce their organizations and areas of expertise, learn about KOICA’s Public-Private Partnership proposal submission process, and hear practical experiences from KOICA implementing partners. Representatives from GCS, IJM, and TBC shared examples of their ongoing cooperation and project implementation with KOICA.
In his congratulatory remarks, H.E. Kim Nam Hyuk, Minister of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, emphasized that sustainable development requires not only cooperation among governments, but also the active participation of civil society. He also explained that the Korean government is encouraging civil society engagement and supporting locally led development, and recognizing the partnership between Korean and local civil society organizations to share their experience and explore opportunities for joint action and inclusive cooperation.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Chun Jiheh, Country Director of KOICA Thailand Office, emphasized the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and trust in building meaningful partnerships with civil society. She highlighted the program’s key objectives of strengthening networks between Korean and Thai civil society organizations, exploring future cooperation opportunities, and identifying local partners, while emphasizing KOICA Thailand Office’s role as a platform and bridge connecting diverse development partners.
Through the program, KOICA Thailand seeks to strengthen its network with civil society organizations and create more opportunities for Korean and Thai partners to share expertise, identify common interests, and develop future collaboration in Thailand.