Special Lunch on Sustainable Development

          On 4 November 2019, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, hosted a Special Lunch on Sustainable Development for Leaders of ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners, and H.E. Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as guest of the Chair, to explore closer collaboration on sustainable development between ASEAN and external parties. The Special Lunch was organised during the 35^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

          In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand pointed out that sustainable development is key to building an ASEAN Community that is people-centred and resilient. In this regard, ASEAN attaches importance to synergising the complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the Complementarities Roadmap 2020 - 2025. He encouraged external parties to work with ASEAN through the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD).

           The Managing Director of the IMF emphasised the benefits of raising public awareness about sustainable development so as to localize the efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, strong partnership within ASEAN and with external partners is also beneficial. The IMF commended the steady economic growth in Southeast Asia which would contribute to the reduction of poverty. Nonetheless, the region still needs more investment for infrastructure and human capital development to help drive sustainable and inclusive growth.

          The Meeting noted the progress of each country in advancing sustainable development, in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in implementing the Paris Agreement. The Leaders shared the view that people should be at the centre of sustainable development and that governments should strive to foster partnerships with local communities, to ensure the inclusiveness of the process.

          At the ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering in Bali in October 2018, ASEAN’s efforts in promoting sustainable development were endorsed by all ASEAN Leaders, and heads of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. ASEAN’s commitment to sustainable development is further reaffirmed by the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability which was adopted at the 34th ASEAN Summit in June 2019 in Bangkok. Thailand is currently ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development.

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