On 15 February 2024, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke in a panel discussion on “the future of the Human Rights Council: challenges and opportunities in maximizing the impact of the Council’s work on the ground and in today’s global challenges” hosted by the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations in New York at the United Nations Headquarters.

Other panelists included Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN and the Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights.

Vice Minister shared his experiences as former President of the HRC (for the term 2010-2011) and reiterated the importance of (1) promotion of dialogue and constructive engagement in its response to country situations and addressing challenges; (2) rationalizing the work of the HRC to make it more effective and credible as well as to allow it to work on issues that need attention; (3) technical cooperation and capacity building; and (4) enhanced coordination between the HRC and other organs of the UN, especially the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council to ensure complementarity and synergies.

Also participated in the panel discussion were ambassadors and experts from various countries across all regions.