The International Rubber Association (IRA) was inaugurated in Ottawa, Canada, in 1971 through the cooperation of rubber associations from both producing and consuming countries. As of now, the IRA has been established for over 50 years and consists of 20 members from 13 countries. The Thai Rubber Association (TRA) is one of the initial members. With a term of 2 years, the IRA is led by 8 Management Committee members, 4 of whom are from producing countries and 4 from consuming countries. The objectives of the IRA are to formulate rubber trade practices, prepare international rubber contracts, foster international cooperation on rubber production, trade, and consumption among producing and consuming countries, collectively solve any problems related to the international rubber trade, and facilitate continuous improvement in the international rubber trade. Currently, the IRA secretariat office is located at the Thai Rubber Association (TRA) in Hat Yai, Songkhla.

The International Rubber Association (IRA) is internationally recognized for its significant role in the global rubber trade community. The Thai Rubber Association has continuously served as a member of the IRA management committee and plays a crucial role in advancing the IRA's international recognition. The IRA holds a management committee meeting once a year and a biennial general meeting every two years. This year, both meetings were held on May 11, 2024, at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld Hotel in Bangkok, following the Thai Rubber Association Annual Dinner 2024. The important agenda items were as follows: 1) The draft of the IRA Preserved Rubber Latex in Bulk (Hevea brasiliensis) International Contract, which is currently being processed; 2) Readiness to comply with the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR), which will come into force in 2025; and 3) Election of the IRA Chairman and Secretariat for the 2025-2026 term. The IRA management committee agreed that the TRA would continue as the IRA Chairman for another term, 2025–2026. In this regard, the Thai Rubber Association Committee agreed to invite Mr. Paul Sumade Lee to assume the position of IRA Chairman and to appoint Mr. Supadetch Ongsakul, Deputy Secretary-General of TRA, as IRA Executive Secretary for the 2025–2026 term.

On behalf of the Thai Rubber Association (TRA), I would like to thank Mr. Paul Sumade Lee, IRA Chairman, and Mr. Supadetch Ongsakul, IRA Executive Secretary, as well as the IRA secretariat, for their excellent organizational management and significant contributions to our success. I hope that the IRA will continue to play a vital role in fostering cooperation between producing and consuming countries and in advancing sustainability in the global rubber industry.

Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul

President

The Thai Rubber Association