Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be achieved through “peace and stability”, and Thailand stands ready to work toward the “balance of all things” while promoting a more integrated development system at the regional and global levels through the ECOSOC, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai affirmed in his remarks at the 9th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.

In his pre-recorded remarks at the opening of the 9th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development on 28 March 2022, DPM/FM highlighted the importance of advancing sustainable development while prioritising peace, stability, and human security.

DPM/FM highlighted the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model as Thailand’s pathways towards the achievement of SDGs. As Vice-President of ECOSOC overseeing the United Nations Development System, Thailand will broaden engagement on sustainable development with all sectors. Thailand will also promote development partnerships in various functions hosted by the country this year, namely, (1) the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2022 (APEC 2022) under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.” and; (2) the Global South-South Development Expo 2022 (GSSD Expo 2022), co-hosted by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation.

The 9th APFSD, organized between 28 – 31 March 2022 in a hybrid format at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, was held under the theme “Building back better from COVID-19 while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific”. The forum discussed COVID-19 recovery, the output of which will be presented to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York this July.

The Department of International Organizations also co-organized a side event with UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office under the topic “Intergenerational Dialogue on SDGs: Advancing SDG 4 in the context of COVID-19 Recovery and Sharing Youth’s Perspective on Building Back Better”, which provided youths and representatives from the government and international organisations with a space to exchange views on ways to advance SDG4 (Quality Education) amidst COVID-19. With Dr. Suwit Maesincee, Chair of the Youth Sub-Committee under the National Committee for Sustainable Development, delivering the opening remarks, this side event shed light on the importance of youth engagement. Over 1,500 participants joined this side event via teleconference system and Facebook Live.