On 28 September 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, delivered his statement at the General Debate of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr. Surapong asked whether multilateralism had lived up to expectations, citing the initial inability of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to respond promptly to the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. He hoped that the recently adopted UNSC resolution on the matter would lead to a durable political solution.

To strengthen multilateralism, Mr. Surapong stressed the importance of unity and consensus, especially in the face of changing threats.  Security Council reform, he added, must focus on overcoming deadlock and achieving consensus.

He also urged that sustainable development be placed at the heart of the UN’s post 2015-Development Agenda which should address the needs of the most vulnerable countries.

He said climate change was the most pressing challenge to sustainable development, and called for UN Member States to put in place systems to mitigate its impact – improved weather prediction, better storage silos, and more resilient staple crops.

Mr. Surapong also urged the UN to focus more on promoting human security such as through education and healthcare.  He affirmed Thailand’s readiness to share with other developing countries its model of providing universal healthcare coverage through the “one dollar per doctor’s visit” scheme to help the poor and the vulnerable.
 
Mr. Surapong said the international community must forge a new global partnership to facilitate unity and consensus. Thailand was ready to help build the bridges to connect all stakeholders into a more cohesive, action-oriented global partnership, which was the reason for the country’s candidature to the Security Council for the term 2017-2018.