Prime Minister applauds 2030 Agenda, pledges work towards a sustainable Thailand
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, commended the Organization on its recent adoption of Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and spoke on a wide-ranging topics including Thailand’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
“Successful implementation of the new Sustainable Development Agenda will require joint ownership and collective efforts across all sectors, since people are, after all, the main agents of change – and that change must begin from within, he said.
Thailand is currently undertaking comprehensive reforms on several fronts to make the country stronger and better. Hopefully in the process, the reforms will help it achieve security, prosperity, sustainability, and pave the way towards resilient democracy.
“Today, the adverse impacts of climate change and natural disasters can reverse decades of sustainable development gains. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every person and every country to join hands in solving this pressing global challenge. On Thailand’s part, we reaffirm our commitment under the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions between 20 and 25 per cent by the year 2030,” he added.
Prime Minister Prayut also announced Thailand’s decision to run for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2017-2018.
“Thailand attaches importance to building a culture of peace. We have also actively participated in the international efforts to address global challenges. It is for these reasons that Thailand has decided to run for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2017-2018. We believe that we can constructively serve as a bridge-builder among UNSC Members and non-members,” said the Prime Minister.
He underscored the importance of the rising number of middle-income countries who can jointly achieve sustainable development through coordinated action.
“As a middle-income country, Thailand firmly believes that development cannot be truly sustainable when some countries forge ahead and leave others behind. That is why we have pursued the “Thailand Plus One” policy for all-inclusive, region-wide economic and industrial development, so that our neighbours can advance alongside us,” he added.
He also commented on Thailand’s human trafficking issue and said that ‘Thai Government accords priority to solving the problem of human trafficking.’
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is among the many leaders who will address the general debate of 70th General Assembly which opened this year with the adoption of Agenda 2030 and 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Made up of all the 193 Member States of the UN, the Assembly provides a forum for multilateral discussion of international issues covered by the UN Charter.