Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand attends the General Debate of the High Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Ministerial Dialogue

on 7 July 2014, United Nations, New York

                   On 7 July 2014, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Acting Foreign Minister, attends the Opening of the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC and the Opening of the Ministerial Segment of High Level Political Forum at the United Nations, New York. The gists of his statement and other comments during the related gathering appear as follows:

                   1. General Debate of the High Level Segment of the ECOSOC: The Permanent Secretary delivered Thailand’s Country Statement stressing that the meeting came at a critical time with less than 17 months remaining for countries to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to agree upon a post-2015 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized Thailand’s commitment to development, in particular the MDGs and  plans to present the National Voluntary Presentation (NVP) on 9 July to share Thailand’s successes and challenges to the Meeting. Thailand, he elaborates,  has been the forefront when it comes to the attainment of the MDGs and has placed the MDGs very high on its national agenda and through global partnership as well as bridging development gaps. And as 2015 approaches, Thailand will continue to be forward-looking and fully engaged in the global processes on the inclusive formation of an ambitious post-2015 development agenda and SDGs as it gathers momentum, he adds.

                       Guided by His Majesty the King’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, which has long been the cornerstone of the National Economic and Social Development Plans, Mr. Phuangketkeow notes that people-centred development continues to be an integral part of Thailand’s sustainable development path. The Permanent Secretary shares Thailand’s views noting that poverty eradication will be an unfinished agenda of the MDGs and the centrality of this issue in the post-2015 development agenda. In this connection, he stresses the importance of rights-based development, upholding human rights, the rule of law, good governance, developing quality education and access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

                   The Permanent Secretary pointed out that social, economic and environment should go hand in hand. He also opines that climate change and climate-related natural disasters have far-reaching impacts on development and can wipe away hard-earned development gains overnight. In his conclusion, while reminding that it is not long before the end of 2015 and that  the international community still has a lot to do.  He calls for all parties to work closely together to realize the MDGs and to begin both the post-2015 development agenda and SDGs with confidence and resolve.

                   2. High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development Ministerial Dialogue: “Weaving regional realities and regional priorities into the post 2015 development agenda”. The Permanent Secretary joined ministerial representatives from Chad ,Costa Rica and the United Nations agencies to discuss the commonalities and differences between the priorities of various regions for the SDGs. They also exchange views on the post 2015 development agenda as well as the impact on policies and trends in respective regions.

                   3. Clarification on Thailand’s political situation:

                       The Permanent Secretary takes various opportunities to brief Thailand’s political situation to ECOSOC’s high level representatives. He states that Thailand is moving ahead and looks forward to a stronger and sustainable democracy. Democracy and development must go hand in hand, he adds while reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to democracy, international obligations, and active engagement with the works of the United Nations under all three pillars of peace and security, human rights and development. Thailand, he concludes, seeks understanding, support and engagement from friends and partners during this transitional time to a full-fledged democracy.