On 28 April 2023, Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, Executive Director of APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC CTF) and Vice President of NXPO, was invited to share experiences on the “Intensive Training Course on: Commercial Diplomacy and International Trade Negotiations” hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Trade Center (ITC), Ministry of Commerce, Thailand. The training course set to take place over three days, from April 26-28, 2023, aims to equip participants from government agencies, the private sector, embassies, and the international trade sector with practical skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex global trade landscape.

Dr. Surachai, an expert in foresight, STI policy, and international negotiation was speaking for “Session 9: Strategic Foresight for lead negotiators”, which took place on Day 3 of the training course. Dr. Surachai’s participation provided valuable insights and practical strategies for lead negotiators.

Also, Dr. Surachai mentions, “An example of foresight and negotiation could be a scenario where a multinational company is planning to enter a new market. The country/company’s negotiating team would use foresight to anticipate potential issues or challenges during the negotiation process, such as cultural differences, local regulations, or competitive pressures.”

“By using foresight, the team can develop a negotiation strategy that considers potential roadblocks and prepares for different scenarios. For instance, they may develop a range of negotiation offers and counteroffers depending on the negotiation outcomes.”

The training course was a success, with participants gaining valuable skills and knowledge that will be useful in their respective fields.

More information on the UNESCAP website: https://www.unescap.org/events/2023/intensive-training-course-commercial-diplomacy-and-international-trade-negotiations

Srichattra Chaivongvilan – Correspondent