21-9-2023 (NEW YORK) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand, while addressing the SDG Summit 2023 in New York, reasserted Thailand’s unwavering dedication to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He proudly announced the successful issuance of two sets of sustainability bonds, a monumental feat that has garnered a staggering US$12.5 billion in green and social investments at the national level.
Amidst the dignitaries gathered in New York, Mr. Srettha unveiled the Thailand Green Taxonomy, a pioneering reference tool that identifies and categorizes economic activities deemed environmentally sustainable. This initiative underscores Thailand’s commitment to fostering a more eco-conscious approach to economic development.
In a remarkable show of solidarity, more than 100 companies comprising the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) have pledged an astonishing $43 billion towards SDG-related projects by the year 2030. This colossal commitment signifies the private sector’s active involvement in advancing Thailand’s sustainable agenda.
Mr. Srettha, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, delivered his statement during the Leaders’ Dialogue 6 at the SDG Summit 2023, themed “Mobilizing finance and investments and the means of implementation for SDG achievement.” The prestigious event took place at the Trusteeship Council Chamber within the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where global leaders convened to discuss pressing issues of international importance.
This visit to New York coincides with Prime Minister Srettha’s attendance at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA78), spanning from September 18th to September 24th. It marks his inaugural overseas trip as the head of the Thai government, where he is slated to engage in high-level discussions with both national and business leaders.
Mr. Srettha passionately emphasized, “In this decade, we need transformative actions. We need to foster effective multilateralism and a strong multilateral architecture, which will allow us to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.” He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to actively engage on the global stage and collaborate with allies and partners to surmount the challenges posed by the SDGs.
The United Nations has designated this era as the “Decade of Action,” underscoring the imperative for political will to be complemented by international solidarity. Addressing the SDG financing gap, amplifying SDG investments, identifying innovative financial resources, and rectifying the imbalances within international financial structures were highlighted as crucial objectives by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke.
Furthermore, Thailand lends its unwavering support to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for the reform of international financial architecture and his proposal for an annual SDG stimulus of $500 billion until 2030.
Prime Minister Srettha believes that a people-centered and planet-centric developmental approach is the need of the hour. In his statement to the summit, he cited the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), conceptualized by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, and the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG) as instrumental frameworks that can harmonize economic, social, and environmental SDG objectives.
Thailand has made significant national commitments towards achieving the SDGs, with the overarching goal of enhancing people’s quality of life:
- A commitment to leave no one behind, prioritizing those trapped in generational poverty, with the aim of liberating all affected households by 2027.
- A dedication to uphold and safeguard the human rights of all individuals. In its pursuit of promoting the right to health, Thailand is taking measures to reduce health impoverishment among households to less than 0.25% by 2027.
- A pledge to foster cooperation and partnerships at all levels to support climate action, including ensuring universal access to affordable modern energy services by 2030.
