On 25 September 2018, H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand led the Thai Delegation to the opening of the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73) in New York. 

          H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the UNGA73 has proposed the theme of the General Debate this year as “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peace and Sustainable Societies”, focusing on the role of United Nations in delivering the work to people on the ground. 

          There were 35 Heads of State and Heads of Government delivering statements before the General Assembly on 25 September 2018, including Brazil, Ecuador, United States, Turkey, Mexico, France, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, Finland, South Africa, Argentina, Switzerland, Japan and Morocco. The Deputy Foreign Minister is expected to deliver Thailand’s national statement before the General Assembly on 1 October 2018.