The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, emphasised Thailand’s pride as the regional hub for United Nations agencies while urging international community to strengthen regional collaboration on Science, Technology and Innovation which will play a key role in the post COVID-19 recovery plans as well as urging stakeholders to accelerate the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for 5Ps, namely, people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership or “people partnering for peace and prosperity of the planet."

On 26 October 2020, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered Thailand’s statement on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations at the United Nations Conference Centre, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the important role of the United Nations in upholding multilateralism and responding to global challenges over the past 75 years. Meanwhile, Thailand is also proud to celebrate its 75 years of UN Membership next year. He pointed out that, in this era of disruption, multilateralism is under threat, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating climate change, all of which required a strong UN to deliver “new normal” solutions. In particular, he urged the international community to strengthen regional collaboration on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) which will play a key role in the post COVID-19 recovery plans. At the same time, it is important to ensure that scientific advancement and resource mobilisation, including for the COVID-19 vaccines, can be accessed by all groups.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also highlighted that social and technological innovation should be intertwined. He underscored that Thailand has shared its best practices on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy bestowed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, which focuses on promoting sustainability and resilience from within, with United Nations agencies and other countries through South-South Cooperation.

Moreover, he emphasised Thailand’s pride in being host country to ESCAP and a regional hub for United Nations agencies. Such regional UN presence serves as important platforms for exchanges and coordination in advancing development in the region, including the SDGs. He also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to working constructively with the United Nations in the spirit of multilateralism to “build back better” and urged the international community to assert ownership of a multilateral institution that is responsive and “fit for the purpose” to face uncertainties with confidence. He further urged stakeholders to continue forging strong partnership to accelerate the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for 5Ps, namely, people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership or “people partnering for peace and prosperity of the planet."