On 23 September 2013, Mr. Nopadol Gunavibool, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, attended the High-Level Event on the Equal Future Partnership (EFP) at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.  This was the third high-level meeting of the EFP after its launch by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in September 2012 during the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In his opening remarks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated that the EFP was established to empower women economically and politically by encouraging their participation in public life at the local, regional, and international levels, and to ensure that women benefit from inclusive economic growth.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Nopadol highlighted that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the first woman to become Thailand’s prime minister, has been promoting women’s participation in society. The Royal Thai Government has set up the “Women Empowerment Fund” to empower women and promote their participation in politics. The Deputy Permanent Secretary also reaffirmed Thailand’s willingness and readiness to support the EFP and to share good practices and experiences with other member countries in order to bring about women’s advancement as well as to develop a peaceful and equitable society.

The High-Level Meeting also welcomed new EFP members Japan, Italy, Mexico and Switzerland.