On 15 – 19 May 2023, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) held the 79th Commission Session (CS79), an annual regional meeting, at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Bangkok under the theme “Accelerating climate action in Asia and the Pacific for sustainable development”.

During the opening ceremony, H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, delivered pre-recorded remarks, stressing on the importance of cooperation to combat climate change, and Thailand's efforts to drive forward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). He presented three priorities to support climate action in the region, and also reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to host the Specialised Expo in Phuket in 2028.

H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as Chair of CS78, chaired the opening of the CS79, while underscoring ESCAP’s achievements in the past year, the importance of regional cooperation towards achieving climate goals, as well as ESCAP’s role in echoing regional voices at the global arena. After that, he handed over the Commission Session’s chairmanship to H.E. Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Tonga.

H.E. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, delivered Thailand’s country statement, highlighting the importance of building resilience of communities and countries against the adverse effects of climate change, while calling for the scaling up of means of implementation to assist developing countries, including Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and the leveraging of digital technology and innovation in accelerating climate actions. He also stressed on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as Thailand’s development approach and the BCG Economy model, as well as Thailand’s readiness to share these approaches, including through South-South and Triangular cooperation.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ESCAP co-hosted a reception in honour of the delegates attending the CS79 at Vithes Samosorn Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Attended dignitaries included H.E. Mr. Mark Stephen Brown, Prime Minister of Cook Islands and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), H.E. Mr. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of Palau, and H.E. Ms. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa. Aside from cultural performance, there were exhibitions on Thailand’s work on sustainable development and Thailand’s readiness to host the Phuket Expo 2028.

The meeting concluded on 19 May 2023, with the adoption of 11 resolutions and decisions. The meeting further agreed that CS80 would be held from 22 – 26 April 2024 at UNCC, Bangkok under the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”.

ESCAP is 1 of the 5 regional commissions of the United Nations. It has 53 Member countries and 9 associate members, and is the largest regional commission of the UN. ESCAP is the most inclusive multilateral platform in the Asia-Pacific region.