Ms. Busadee Santipitaks assumed her position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat on 17 January 2025. She is the first female CEO and the first Thai national to hold this position.

Ms. Santipitaks has a long and distinguished diplomatic career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Most recently, she served as Deputy Permanent Secretary. Prior to that, some of her key positions included Ambassador of Thailand to Australia; Director-General, Department of Information and Spokesperson and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN.

Ms. Santipitaks is a strong advocate of multilateralism, believing in the power of regional and international cooperation to address global challenges. She has actively engaged in numerous bilateral, regional, and international forums, helping to bridge gaps and advance collaborative solutions on issues such as sustainable development, climate change, and economic integration. She places high importance on stakeholder engagement and inclusive processes, ensuring that decisions are well-informed, broadly supported, and practical.

Ms. Santipitaks holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) from the University of Delhi, India, and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA. Her academic and professional journey underscores her dedication to fostering international dialogue, cooperation and partnerships.

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