(Unofficial Translation)

Statement by

H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand

on the United Nations Day, Tuesday 24 October 2023,

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1. Good Morning. The 24^th October marks the United Nations Day. The UN as an international organization was established to maintain peace and security, promote and protect human rights, and strengthen international development cooperation.
2. In December 2023, Thailand will celebrate the 77^th Anniversary of its membership in the United Nations. This year also marks the 75^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). I am delighted to see that Thailand has continued to play a constructive and responsible role as an UN Member State. To demonstrate Thailand’s commitment to promote human rights, we have presented our candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) membership for the term 2025-2027.
3. I am proud that Thailand has served as the host country of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific or UNESCAP and forty other UN agencies. This reflects the fact that Thailand is trusted by the international community. The presence of UN offices also offers employment promotion of Thai people, as well as opportunities for procurement of products and services.
4. This past September, I led the Thai Delegation to attend the High-level week of the 78^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
5. This mission had three important purposes. First, to promote international trust in Thailand. I reiterated Thailand’s commitment to uphold democracy and human rights, as well as support the role of the United Nations in responding to global challenges. In particular, the crisis associated with the superpowers is threatening international peace, as well as energy and food securities directly affecting people’s livelihoods. I also expressed support for international cooperation to reduce inequality, address climate change, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while leaving no one behind.
6. Secondly, I encouraged cooperation in areas where Thailand has been successful and recognised by the international community for improving the livelihood of our people. For example, Thailand was willing to share its experience in public health and Universal Health Coverage scheme (UHC), known as the 30-baht scheme, the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) Approach towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Sustainability-Linked Bonds.
7. The third and final point is expanding partnerships with world leaders and CEOs to expand new opportunities for trade and investment. I also had a chance to meet with representatives from the Thai community and members of Team Thailand being on duty in the Government agencies in the United States.
8. To conclude, I wish to reiterate that the world requires international cooperation with the United Nations at its core to respond to current global challenges. Against the backdrop of escalating conflicts and dire humanitarian crises in many regions, we need more than ever a reliable and effective United Nations that can deliver to the international community peaceful settlement of disputes. The world still counts on the United Nations to provide humanitarian assistance on the ground, uphold international humanitarian law, and strengthen sustainable peacebuilding.
9. The Royal Thai Government remains steadfast in supporting the work of the United Nations and cooperation with all stakeholders to build a peaceful and sustainable world for Thai people and the international community, as well as to make the world a better place for future generations.
10. Thank you.

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