On Wednesday, 18th September 2024, His Majesty the King graciously appointed Hon. Mr. Atthaniti Disatha-amnarj, Privy Councillor, as His Majesty the King’s Representative to preside over the Opening Ceremony of the 6th AACC Congress 2024. The President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Presidents/ Chief Justices/ Chairpersons/ Heads of Delegations of the foreign Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Asia (14 countries in total), four regional associations of the Constitutional Courts, the Justices of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand, along with the Secretary-General of the Office of the Constitutional Court, had an audience with His Majesty the King’s Representative at the Athenee Hotel, Bangkok.

Later, Hon. Prof. Dr. Nakharin Mektrairat, President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand as the President of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC), delivered opening remarks of the Congress, which is an international conference under the operative framework of the AACC served as a forum for presentations in the frame of constitutional review, the rule of law, human rights protection, etc., by the AACC members, observers, and guests. Moreover, the host received an honor from Hon. Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, President Emeritus, Special Representative of the Venice Commission, who addressed his special remarks via a pre-recorded video.

As the host, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand has determined the main theme: “The Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society” together with its three sub-themes. The host could nominate three chairpersons for each following sub-theme session:

“The Role of the Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society,” co-chaired by Hon. Mr. Noppadon Theppitak, Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand;
“The Evolvement of Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Justice in the Changing World,” co-chaired by Hon. Prof. Dr. Udom Rathamarit, Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand;
“Constitutional Justice as the Foundation of Sustainable Social Development,” co-chaired by Hon. Prof. Dr. Chiranit Havanond, Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand has presided over the AACC since 2023 and will be leading the Association until 2025. In taking this role, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand will host the 6th AACC Congress between 18th and 19th September 2024 at the Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. Such an event is an important international academic conference on constitutional law held in Thailand. Furthermore, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand as the President of the AACC has planned to announce the Bangkok Declaration, as approved by the Board of Members, at the Closing Ceremony of the Congress on Thursday, 19th September 2024. This historic document will represent the remarkable roles in the leadership of academic development of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand on the international stage and reflect the accomplishments of the Congress and the Board of Members’ Meeting in Thailand, serving as an academic forum for sharing and exchanging information, perspectives, adjudication and legal issues between the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand and other constitutional courts or equivalent institutions in order to enhance the development of the tasks of the so-called institutions in Asia, accordingly. In addition, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand has planned to arrange a press conference at the Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, on Thursday, 19th September 2024 at 17.00 hrs.

The Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand is one of the seven co-founding members of the AACC. Currently, 21 countries join the Association. The Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand has presided over the AACC since 2023 and will be leading the Association until 2025. In taking this role, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand will host the 6th AACC Congress between 17th and 21st September 2024 at the Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. Such an event will be an important international academic conference on constitutional law to be held in Thailand attended by the following 14 Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions:

1. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
2. The Supreme Court of the Republic of India;
3. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia;
4. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
5. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Korea;
6. The Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic;
7. The Federal Court of Malaysia;
8. The Constitutional Court of Mongolia;
9. The Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar;
10. The Supreme Constitutional Court of the State of Palestine;
11. The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation;
12. The Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines;
13. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye;
14. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

As for the 6th AACC Congress, its main theme has been developed under “The Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society”. Professor Dr. Nakharin Mektrairat, President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand as the President of the AACC, will have an honor to deliver opening remarks in two sub-events as follows.

(1) The Congress is an international conference under the operative framework of the AACC served as a forum for presentations in the frame of constitutional review, the rule of law, human rights protection, etc., by the AACC members, observers, and guests;

(2) The Board of Members’ Meeting (BoMM) is an executive meeting of the Association leading to a joint decision among the 21 AACC members such as membership acceptance, declaration affirmation, and amendment of the Association’s Statute, etc. The Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand will be responsible of organizing both the Congress and the BoMM.

As assuming over the chairmanship, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand has determined the main theme and sub-themes of the 6th AACC Congress. “The Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society” has been developed as the main theme while the following three sub-themes will be examined:

(1) The Role of the Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society;

(2) The Evolvement of Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Justice in the Changing World;

(3) Constitutional Justice as the Foundation of Sustainable Social Development.

In addition, one of the most significant outputs of the event will be the Bangkok Declaration, which will be prepared by the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand. This historic document will represent the success of the Congress and the BoMM in Thailand. Once the draft of the said Declaration has been drawn up, the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand will distribute it to all the AACC members prior to the Initial BoMM on the eve of the Congress, so that they are able to amend it in line with the purposes of the Congress and the BoMM. This draft – once approved by the BoMM – will be signed at the Final BoMM prior to the closing ceremony of the Congress and will be declared accordingly.

The main theme and sub-themes for the 6th Congress of AACC were chosen for several reasons:
The Role of the Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions in Strengthening Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Society

Firstly, the themes are current and relevant as they align with global trends emphasizing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals were mutually endorsed by 193 member countries on September 25, 2015, and efforts have been underway since 2016 to achieve these 17 goals by 2030. Notably, SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, is relevant to the justice system, aiming to promote peaceful societies, ensure access to justice, and build effective, accountable institutions. Several targets within SDG 16 directly relate to constitutional courts and equivalent institutions, such as promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels, and ensure equal access to justice for all (Target 16.3), ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements (Target 16.10), and enforcing non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development (Target 16.b).

The Evolvement of Constitutional Justice for Sustainable Justice in the Changing World

Secondly, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 2023 Sustainable Development Report ranked Thailand 43rd out of 193 countries, leading in the ASEAN region and ranking third in Asia, behind Japan (21st) and South Korea (31st). Among AACC members, Thailand is second only to South Korea. The report indicates continuous improvement in access to and affordability of justice in Thailand.

Constitutional Justice as the Foundation of Sustainable Social Development

Thirdly, no previous AACC, WCCJ, or other regional constitutional court congresses have addressed the linkage between constitutional justice and sustainable development. Therefore, the proposed theme and sub-themes for the 6th Congress of AACC not only reflect a contemporary and globally recognized agenda but also highlight Thailand's leadership in sustainable development within ASEAN and AACC. The congress will serve as a crucial platform for exchanging ideas and practices to achieve collective goals for genuine sustainable development.