On 5 December 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs met with Mrs. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), to discuss cooperation between Thailand and ESCAP.  
 
Both sides exchanged views on ways to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at both the national and regional levels. The Foreign Minister expressed Thailand’s intention to work with ESCAP to identify successfulmodels for driving forward sustainable development that can benefit member states, building on Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Both sides also exchanged views on the importance of strengthening themultilateral systems and the United Nations role in addressing current and future challenges, sustainable water management, and combating transboundary air pollution.  
 
On this occasion, the Executive Secretary commended Thailand for her longstanding role as host country of ESCAP and support for the modernization and seismic safety upgrades to ESCAP’s premises in Bangkok. The Executive Secretary also praised Thailand’s constructive role in fostering regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific and expressed appreciation to Thailand for contributing $500,000 to the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster, and Climate Preparedness to enhance early warning systems in the Asia-Pacific region.  
 
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. ESCAP serves as a platform for its 53 member states in the Asia-Pacific region to foster cooperation, exchange views and provide recommendations towards the work of ESCAP in promoting social and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.