Statement by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Voice of the Global South Summit

12 January 2023, 11:30-13:00 hrs.
“Achieving an inclusive human-centric globalisation”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi,

Honourable Presidents and Prime Ministers,

Distinguished Delegates,

1. Allow me to begin by extending my sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for the invitation to the Voice of the South Summit. I wish to commend your leadership in placing the development agenda at the heart of today’s conversation.

2. The theme of today’s Summit “Human-centric Development” is extremely timely and relevant, as our people are now faced with pandemic, climate change and global geopolitical tensions that result in soaring inflation as well as food and energy crises. These factors have inflicted “the largest cost of living crisis of the 21^st century” upon the most vulnerable among us.

3. To address these challenges, the Global South must remain united now more than ever. In this regard, allow me to share three ideas on how we can leverage India’s G20 chairmanship to amplify the voice of developing nations in global governance, and how we can steer the global economy towards a more sustainable and inclusive “human-centric globalisation”.

4. Firstly, we need to explore a more holistic development approach that allows us to effectively navigate the “triple planetary crises” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution to make our post-pandemic growth more balanced in all dimensions.

5. Last November, Thailand, as host of APEC 2022, and the 20 Asia-Pacific member economies adopted the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy that integrates three economic approaches to achieve the “Balance of All Things”. Its fundamental concept and India’s “Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)” share common aspirations in promoting living in harmony with nature and doing business with more responsibility and good governance.

6. In this connection, Thailand also urges all developing countries to carry on the momentum of the successful outcomes of COP27 “COP of the South” and reaffirm the need to further mobilise climate finance and invest in the development and deployment of affordable low-carbon technologies.

7. Second, Thailand sees an urgent need for all of us to work together to refocus our efforts to put the well-being of our people at the centre of the development paradigm. With that, Thailand reaffirms our unwavering determination to support transformative financing actions to sustain Universal Health Coverage, ensure equitable quality education, build sustainable food systems and advance just energy transition that leaves no one behind.

8. Against this backdrop, Thailand recognises India’s leading role and looks forward to sharing best practices and innovative solutions with you and other partners through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, to strengthen medical research capacity and the resilience of our local communities in responding to future pandemics, building on the One Health approach.

9. Last but not least, in preparing for a better tomorrow, we should instill greater resilience against future uncertainties and crises. In particular, the ongoing food, fuel and fertiliser crises are a stark reminder for all of us that price fluctuations and volatility threaten the livelihoods of millions of households and human capital in developing economies.

10. To that end, developing countries must redouble efforts to improve supply chain resilience and crisis management. At the same time, to provide a long-term solution to crises, G20 should develop a global mechanism that helps ensure the affordability, availability and accessibility of food, fuel and fertiliser for developing countries. Additionally, as BIMSTEC 2023 Chair, Thailand will continue to work with India in this area to strengthen infrastructure, maritime, energy and digital connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region.

11. Looking ahead, Thailand stands ready to forge development partnerships with India as the current G20 Chair in safeguarding the common interests of the Global South in an inclusive manner, so that we can deliver sustainable and resilient growth for our future generations.

12. Thank you and I wish you all the very best.