On 27 February - 1 March 2023, Mrs. Pornpimol Kanchanalak, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs as Special Envoy of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the high-level segment of the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. On this occasion, the Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered interventions at two high-level meetings, namely:

1. The Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming under the theme “A reflection on five years of the United Nations Youth Strategy (Youth 2030): mapping a blueprint for the next steps”

In order to make changes and build the future for the youth, Thailand reiterated her commitment to the UN Youth 2030 strategy. For a successful implementation of the Youth strategy, Thailand also took into consideration the societal impacts of new technology and social media as well as today’s challenges to human connections, such as the lack of empathy and respect for one another.

2. The High-level meeting commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development

Thailand reiterated the interrelation between development and human rights. As a steadfast proponent of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Thailand also highlighted her unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability through the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, which was advocated during her APEC host year in 2022. Thailand also stressed the importance of international efforts to create an environment conducive to peace, since development and human rights cannot be realized without peace and security.

The Advisor also met Mr. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and discussed issues on the human rights situations around the world and in Thailand. Both sides also exchanged views on cooperation between Thailand and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). On this occasion, the Advisor also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to advancing the promotion and protection of human rights, including civil and political rights and the implementation of the Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance B.E. 2565.