Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UNGA79 General Debate

Statement

by
His Excellency Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

at the General Debate
of the 79^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Under the theme "Leaving no one behind: acting together
for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and
human dignity for present and future generations"

28 September 2024, UNHQ New York

Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,

1. Allow me to begin by congratulating His Excellency Mr. Philemon Yang on his election to preside over the Seventy-Ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

1. I am here today representing Thailand's new government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to reiterate Thailand's determination to continue our people-centered, economic-oriented policies to achieve stability and sustainable development for our people.

Mr. President,

1. In an increasingly fragmented and complex world, Thailand reaffirms our support for a rules-based multilateral system with theUnited Nations at its core.

1. When the United Nations was founded seven decades ago, we did not envision challenges from technological disruptions, pandemics and climate crisis. In view of the present realities, the United Nations must step up and respond to the evolving challenges of our times to remain relevant. It must be agile and adaptable to new and emerging threats. And to ensure that the multilateral system is fit for purpose, global governance and the United Nations must undertakecomprehensive reforms, including that of the Security Council.

1. With this year's Summit of the Future and General Debate, Thailand looks to the United Nations we all need -- a United Nations with increased convening power to sustain and strengthen international peace and security; a United Nations that effectively addresses global challenges;
   a United Nations that improves the lives, equality, and dignity of people around the world; and a United Nations that speaks for the aspirations and interests of all nations, not just the most powerful.

Mr. President,

1. Thailand believes that in order for the United Nations to trulysustain and strengthen international peace and security, Member States must uphold their disarmament and non-proliferation obligations to rebuild trust and ensure a safe and secure world.

1. Moreover, various flashpoints around the globe continue to challenge the credibility of the United Nations to resolve conflicts. We are deeply concerned about increasing armed conflicts in Ukraine and different parts of the world, as well as the escalating violence and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. These situations have far-reaching implications on any smaller nation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to find peaceful solutions that respect the United Nations Charter and human rights.

1. In our own neighborhood, Thailand faces challenges from the situation in Myanmar. As Thailand shares the longest land border with Myanmar, we are directly affected by the spill-over effect of the situation in the country. We wish to see a peaceful and prosperous Myanmar, which will also bode well for peace and prosperity in the region at large. We believe that a peaceful political solution in Myanmar must be Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned. That is why we are engaging with all sides. And we will continue to work closely with ASEAN and the international community to facilitate dialogue among different parties to drive forward the 5-Point Consensus.

1. As part of this effort, we are stepping up humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar through various channels, including the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA-Centre) and relevant United Nations organizations. Thailand will continue to support a peaceful and prosperous Myanmar, not just because it is a pragmatic approach but it is the right way forward.

Mr. President,

1. Sustainable peace, security, and development are closely linked.

1. And to secure a sustainable future, we must accelerate attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On Thailand's part, we have been sharing our locally-driven, people-centered development approach known as the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to advance implementation of the SDGs. The SEP for SDGs Partnership is known widely as a best practice on SDGs localization.

1. We are concerned with the slow pace in the implementation of the SDGs goals at the global level, which is only of 17% on track. We must ensure that countries have adequate means and resources to achieve the SDGs, especially through financing for development. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) next year provides a key opportunity to address the large and growing SDG financing gap. In this regard, Thailand reiterates the call for a reform of the international financial architecture.

1. In addition to ensuring a just and inclusive financing system, we must also strengthen trade, investment and development cooperation, especially through South-South and triangular cooperation. Thailand is committed to forging stronger partnerships, particularly with Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Moreover, Thailand's aspiration to become a member of BRICS and OECD is driven by our desire to build bridges in promoting North-South development cooperation, which is also critical in addressing urgent challenges, such as climate change.

1. Indeed, Thailand is among the top ten countries most affected by climate change. Earlier this month, Thailand and many countries in Southeast Asia were faced with destructive floods caused by Typhoon Yagi. We therefore advocate a balanced and equal emphasis on both mitigation and adaptation for climate action. To achieve concrete results, we must scale up climate finance. Thailand looks forward to the COP29 in Baku this November, where Member States will commit to a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), grounded in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. At the same time, we hope to see the full operationalization of the loss and damage fund soon.

1. Climate disasters have taught us that failure to address this matter will delay the achievement of the SDGs and have widespread impact on human rights and human security. For this reason, the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is crucial.

Mr. President,

1. The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was an achievement that met the highest aspirations of the people. And today, amid rising inequalities and vulnerabilities, Thailand believes that the United Nations must remain the bedrock of fundamental truths enshrined in the Declaration -- to protect the lives, and ensure the equality and dignity for all.

1. For Thailand, protecting and promoting human rights for all doe not only mean guaranteeing basic human dignity, but it also aims at providing opportunities to advance social justice and equality. With our long-standing policy to protect all persons and groups, especially the most vulnerable,
   we have made concrete progress in ensuring equal rights for all those living in Thailand, regardless of their origin, belief, sex or gender.

1. Based on this commitment, Thailand is presenting our candidature to the Human Rights Council for the term 2025-2027. At the Council, we will serve as a bridge builder to connect different perspectives and work with all stakeholders. We will ensure that all countries are equipped and supported in their human rights actions through experience sharing and technical cooperation.

1. Moreover, we will also continue to push for the creation of a safe and secure society for all. Recently, we adopted the Marriage Equality Act. On health, we will continue to advance the right to health by advocating for Universal Health Coverage and the conclusion of a Pandemic Treaty as well as steer forward the Foreign Policy and Global Health agenda, which Thailand serves as Chair this year. On crime prevention, we will work closely with all partners to combat increasing drug trafficking and transnational crimes in the region and beyond, especially those enabled by digital technology and underground economies.

Mr. President,

1. Thailand welcomes the successful conclusion of the Summit of the Future. In the next step, we have to work together to make the Pact for the Future "high on impact and high on action" by translating the Pact into tangible outcomes.

1. And to realize this, I outlined Thailand's vision to achieve this future through what I called -- the "4 Ps." Whether it be building a future where all are protected, where all can prosper, and which is promising for all -- it is essential that we give our collective political will.

1. This means harnessing our political will to promote the power of technologies to help accelerate the SDGs and taking steps to close the digital divide among countries through the Global Digital Compact (GDC). We support technology cross-flows and transfers, capacity-building, as well as digital literacy development to enhance the ability of countries to promote people-centered and planet-centric development.

1. This also means giving importance to the Declaration on Future Generations, for our actions or inactions of today will determine a future for them. Everywhere, youth and future generations deserve to have big dreams, and even bigger doors of opportunities.

Mr. President,

1. Seventy-eight years ago, Thailand looked toward the United Nations as a guarantor of a more peaceful and prosperous future. And at present, Thailand carries onwards the same belief of a United Nations that is a pioneer of a prevailing peace and drives our peacekeepers and aid workers to serve in remote regions of the globe. And in this very same spirit, Thailand pledges to continue to serve as a bridge-builder, fostering dialogue and trust among nations.

1. We may be nations with different and diverse cultures and traditions, but we are united by our common humanity and aspiration for the future we want. And for that, we must together build the United Nations we need.

1. I thank you, Mr. President.

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