On 20 February 2024, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered welcoming remarks during the opening session of 11th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions in Asia and the Pacific”.

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of accelerating the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and for regional solutions to focus on society, the people and the planet, while leaving no one behind.  He also stressed on the need to leverage on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and partnerships among all sectors at all levels to help accelerate SDG attainment.

High-level personalities delivering opening remarks at the Opening Session of the meeting included Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, and Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. H.E. Ms. Paula Narvaéz, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, also delivered a video message.

The Meeting discussed the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in poverty eradication to pave the way for the effective delivery of sustainable solutions and the review of the SDG progress through Voluntary National Reviews (VNR).