On 27 May 2019, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously attended the opening of the 75^th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) as a keynote speaker, at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, together with Mrs. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, welcomed Her Royal Highness upon arrival. The Commission’s session this year is organised under the theme “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn delivered a special address by sharing her views and experiences on addressing various dimensions of human development through numerous Royal Projects, such as food security, health, nutrition, education, job opportunities, statelessness, forest and environment conservation. She stressed the need to enhance the exchanges of knowledge and experience with each other to further cooperate on development. She also highlighted that development work must take an integrated approach and that it is a long-term work, which requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders, national and international alike.

During the opening, video messages from the President of 73^rd session of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations were displayed. Executive Secretary of ESCAP and President of the Republic of Nauru also delivered statements highlighting Asia and the Pacific as an engine of the world’s economic growth, yet it still faces several challenges such as poverty, inequality, disasters and climate change, which require concerted efforts to solve.

ESCAP organises an annual Commission Session around May every year and this year it took place from 27 to 31 May 2019. Delegates from 47 member countries and 2 associate members in the Asia and Pacific region attended the meeting, including 20 high-level representatives at the Head of State, Head of Government and ministerial levels.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s full statement can be viewed at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ugihfMTDZTg.