Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana,

UN Resident Coordinator Gita Sabharwal,

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

1. It is my pleasure and honour to represent the Royal Thai Government at the commemoration of UN Day 2021.

2. For seventy-six years, the United Nations has strived to strengthen global efforts to ensure a secure, prosperous and equitable world, underscored by a shared vision of the 193 Member States.

3. The crucial role played by the United Nations in improving the livelihoods of people around the world is of particular significance. The world has experienced fewer large-scale conflicts than at any point in history. We have achieved a significant milestone towards a nuclear-weapon-free world with the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). We have embraced human rights protection into our national development agenda and accelerated our collective efforts on a path towards sustainable development.

4. However, we cannot be complacent. Many challenges still remain and have been aggravated by COVID-19. Geopolitical tensions are growing and disparities within and among countries are on the rise, in particular, inequalities in the global distribution of vaccines. Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, is a major concern. Most importantly, climate emergency has become one of the greatest challenges of our time. Many countries are not on track to achieve all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
   
   

5. COVID-19 has severely impacted all countries and all dimensions. It has also reminded us of how the world is inter-connected and how vulnerable we are. This is why we need to work in solidarity to turn this unprecedented crisis into collective actions for a more sustainable and equitable world.

6. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and look forward to
   a breakthrough to get back on track in achieving the SDGs, it is important to restore trust and revitalise multilateralism with a transformative shift to promote a post COVID-19 economic recovery with green credentials.

7. On our part, Thailand has built on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy or SEP that focuses on people-centred development with the Bio-Circular-Green Economy or BCG Model. The BCG Model advocates the “Balance of All Things” approach whereby economic growth is generated without placing undue burden on the environment and biodiversity. It is a balanced pathway towards achieving sustainability in both the economic and environmental dimensions.

8. At this juncture, I wish to commend the role of the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand in working closely with the Thai government agencies on the establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). I believe that this framework will foster a multi-stakeholder partnership for the realization of the SDGs. As Thailand is also the ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation, I would also like to recognize UNESCAP’s indispensable contribution towards ASEAN’s SDGs implementation.

Distinguished participants,

9. As December this year will mark the 75th Anniversary of Thailand’s membership in the United Nations, I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate Thailand’s commitment as a responsible, reliable and constructive member and development partner of the United Nations.

10. Moreover, Thailand aims to bring the United Nations’ work even closer to young people. Throughout 2022, we will have a series of activities to raise awareness among Thai youth about multilateralism and the role of the United Nations. We also look forward to working with ESCAP to jointly organize activities to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of ESCAP and Thailand’s membership in the United Nations in 2022.

11. As a host country for ESCAP and over 40 United Nations’ regional and country offices, Thailand is proud to serve as an international organizations hub in the Asia-Pacific and will continue to work closely in partnership with the Member States and United Nations agencies. Together, we will navigate towards achieving the 2030 Development Agenda for Sustainable Development with stronger and better approaches.

12. Let us join hands to celebrate the UN Day and walk the path towards achieving a peaceful and prosperous world for all.

13. Thank you very much.

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