On 17-19 September 2025, Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, led the Thai Delegation to the 49th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC), held in Singapore. The Meeting was co-chaired by Malaysia, Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, and China.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of the DOC, including practical maritime cooperation initiatives, and exchanged views on the current situation in the South China Sea, with a view to promoting a conducive environment for the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). The meeting also continued the COC negotiations towards its conclusion by the agreed timeline of 2026.