On 27 May 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Studies Center (ISC), in partnership with BRANDi and Companies and The Cloud, organized the forum on “Summit of the Future and the Future of Multilateralism: Perspectives from Stakeholders.” The event provided an opportunity for Thai stakeholders to exchange views regarding multilateral cooperation and the role of the United Nations in addressing present and future challenges, as well as expectations for the Summit of the Future (SotF) on 22 – 23 September 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

On this occasion, Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Guy Ryder, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy, and Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the UN, delivered addresses at the opening segment of the event while Ms. Pinsuda Jayanama, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, provided an overview of the current state of multilateralism to lead towards the panel discussion.

The panel discussion featured seven eminent persons with extensive experiences working with the United Nations. They include Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, former President of the Human Rights Council (2010 - 2011), Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, CEO of Mae Fah Luang Foundation, Dr. Seree Nonthasoot, member of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Dr. Netithorn Praditsarn, Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact Network of Thailand, Dr. Chayawadee Chai-anant, Assistant Governor Corporate Relations Group, and Mr. Piyachart Isarabhakdee, CEO of BRANDi and Companies. The session was moderated by Dr. Anuson Chinvanno, Director of International Studies Center (ISC). In the closing session, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, former WTO Director-General and Secretary-General of UNCTAD was invited to exchange views with the participants.

The eminent persons shared views on ways to revitalise multilateralism, the role of the United Nations in preparation for future challenges, ways to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the Summit of the Future to steer multilateralism in the context of a changing world. Following the panel discussion, representatives from various sectors of Thailand, including government agencies, private sectors, academia, and civil societies participated in group discussions on the Pact for the Future, an outcome document of the Summit, and priority issues for Thailand at the United Nations.

The Summit of the Future is an initiative by the UN Secretary-General to reinvigorate multilateralism with the United Nations at the centre and to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The outcome of the Summit of the Future will help set directions of the United Nations in the long term.

>>> Watch full session here.