During 15 - 17 July 2024, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited New York to participate in the Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2024, held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters.

Vice Minister Russ attended the opening of the HLPF Ministerial Segment, at which high-level opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, and H.E. Ms. Paula Narváez, President of ECOSOC. On 16 July 2024, the Vice Minister delivered a statement emphasizing Thailand’s commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and the BCG Economy Model. He also noted that SDGs should be the main focus of the upcoming Summit of the Future this September.

The Vice Minister also took part in two UN Security Council (UNSC) Open Debates. On 16 July 2024, he delivered a statement on ‘Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order’, reiterating Thailand’s commitment to multilateralism with the UN at the core, and offered views on strengthening and improving the workings of the UN.

Then, on 17 July 2024, Vice Minister Russ delivered a statement on ‘the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question’, where he expressed Thailand’s grave concern towards the situation in Gaza, especially the deteriorating humanitarian situation, and repeated Thailand’s call for an immediate, full and complete ceasefire. Calling for the implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions, in particular Resolution 2735 (2024) and adherence to international law, the Vice Minister, again, pleaded for the release of all hostages, which include Thai nationals. Praising and expressing support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), he concluded by calling for genuine dialogue towards peace, based on the two-State solution.     

While in New York, the Vice Minister also held bilateral engagements, including on 16 July 2024, where he met with Mr. Guy Ryder, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy, and reaffirmed Thailand’s support for the multilateral system and international cooperation to achieve the SDGs. He also reaffirmed Thailand’s willingness to participate actively in the Summit of the Future, and discussed enhancing Thailand’s cooperation with the UN, especially in regard to having more Thai nationals working in international organisations.

On the same day, Vice Minister Russ met with H.E. Dr. Kyung-wha Kang, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Society, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. They discussed promoting further cooperation between Thailand and the Asia Society, a not-for-profit think tank that promotes understanding and exchange between the United States and Asia-Pacific. Also, on 15 July 2024, the Vice Minister met briefly with H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, before the presentation of Lao PDR’s Voluntary National Review (VNR), ASEAN’s only VNR during HLPF 2024.

On this occasion, Vice Minister Russ also met with officials from the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General, New York. He was briefed by the Permanent Mission on activities within the UN framework, especially Thailand’s candidature for the UN Human Rights Council (2025 – 2027). While at the Consulate-General, he discussed the protection of Thai nationals, and support for Thai communities within its consular area.