On 2 July 2018, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. During their discussion, both sides recalled the long-standing cooperation between Thailand and UNCTAD which has led to the establishment of the Institute of Trade and Development (ITD) in Thailand following the UNCTAD X hosted by Thailand in 2000.

 

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Thailand’s support of UNCTAD, particularly its role in the Group of 77 (G77) on many issues, including Financing for Development (FfD) during UNCTAD XIV in Nairobi in 2015. The UNCTAD Secretary-General also discussed cooperation on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid concerns that the current trade environment may hinder the achievement of the SDGs. The Thai side reaffirmed its commitment to the SDGs and has continued to advance the SDGs under such frameworks as ASEAN, as well as cooperating with the European Union and the World Bank in supporting the SDGs by promoting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) as an approach to achieving the SDGs.  

 

The UNCTAD Secretary-General also expressed his appreciation for Thailand’s assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and foresees the possibility of expanding collaboration with TICA to other regions, especially in Africa, in the form of triangular cooperation.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the UNCTAD Secretary-General also exchanged views on current global economic trends, including e-commerce, which provides opportunities to developing countries to advance their development, and on new disruptive technologies, and its impact on labour which needs to be monitored. Thailand was acknowledged for playing an important role in enhancing connectivity in various regional frameworks of which it is a member.

 

UNCTAD was established in 1964, with Thailand as one of its founding members. It currently comprises 194 member countries. The organization facilitates matters concerning economic cooperation and international development and serves as an international forum for trade, finance, investment, and technology related issues. Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi is the seventh and current Secretary-General of UNCTAD.