H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered keynote opening remarks at the Sustainable Development Impact Summit (SDI Summit) in the session of “Financing ASEAN’s Green Recovery and the SGDs” on 22 September 2020. DPM/FM Don highlighted the opportunities for further public-private partnership in ASEAN's green recovery and outlined three areas of possible cooperation. The session was co-organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council with more than 250 participants from various sectors.

DPM/FM Don shared Thailand’s challenging experience in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with strong public cooperation, dedication of the Head of Government in promptly tackling the situation, a strong public health system and the “Village Health Volunteers”.

As Thailand is the ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation, the DPM/FM highlighted the opportunities for further public-private partnership in ASEAN's green recovery and outlined three areas of possible cooperation. First, the need to ensure that the post-COVID19 economic recovery will bring about sustainability and long-term resilience by advancing the transition to green energy and supporting Bio, Circular and Green (BCG) Economy. Second, the need to take a “Whole-of-Community” approach in enhancing coordination and partnerships with relevant stakeholders and external partners for greater synergy, through exchanges of best practices such as Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as an alternative model for sustainable growth. Third, the need to strengthen the “green connectivity”, by supporting financing mechanisms for green infrastructure, the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility, and the development of digital connectivity to open up new opportunities for MSMEs and local businesses throughout the region.

The SDI Summit is convened annually by the WEF during the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly, with a view to serving as a platform for leaders in public, private and academic sectors to exchange ideas and approaches in addressing climate change and further advancing sustainable development agendas. The WEF stressed the need for a “Great Reset” for a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth with over 50 meeting sessions, during 21 – 24 September 2020, towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement in the post-COVID-19 world.