Thailand joined the international community in advancing sustainable development at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (ECOSOC HLPF), held during 6-15 July 2021 online and at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to working towards achieving sustainable development and building back better.

Held annually by the United Nations, ECOSOC HLPF is a forum to reflect on the progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2021 HLPF was conducted under the theme “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”.

At the Forum, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs presented Thailand’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR), after the first one in 2017. Thailand’s country statement at the General Debate, delivered by H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Thailand’s three key drivers of transformative change: (1) paradigm shift through the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Thailand’s homegrown development approach, and the promotion of Bio-Circular-Green Economy towards a balance of all things; (2) utilization of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) while also addressing digital gap; and (3) partnerships at all levels in moving forward sustainable development.

At the ECOSOC High-Level Segment on the issue of “Strengthening ECOSOC at its 75th anniversary for sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 and advancing the 2030 Agenda”, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, emphasised the ECOSOC’s role as the principal UN organ for sustainable development, in promoting an integrated work-flow within the UN system, providing effective responses to the COVID-19 crisis, and mobilising financing and investment for development from all sectors.

Thailand also joined the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health in organizing a side event on July 19 2021 under the theme “Digital Health and UHC after COVID-19” sharing Thailand’s experiences in utilising digital technology to improve access and quality of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Thailand’s country statement, please visit: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/thailand
Clip of Thailand's country statement, please visit: https://youtu.be/nq0HRvQnDrc

HLPF 2021 can be viewed at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf/2021#media