Kanni Wignaraja, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme | Photo via UNDP

 

Kanni Wignaraja, the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Regional Director, has urged the Thai government, private sector, and communities to join forces for a sustainable future. During her visit to the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 in Bangkok, she emphasised inclusivity in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

 

Wignaraja spoke with Thai ministers, businesses, and communities about challenges in climate action, nature conservation, and gender equality, identifying that environmental issues disproportionately affect women and girls. "Environmental degradation, waste management issues, and pollution often hit women and girls hardest," she noted, impacting their education, employment, and pay equity.

 

She underscored the importance of sustainability-focused financing strategies, urging the use of Thailand's rich biodiversity in economic planning to benefit both the planet and its people. Large companies bear significant responsibility in reducing their environmental footprint and regenerating natural resources, she added, urging banks and micro-entrepreneurs to participate in these sustainability efforts.

 

 

 

Highlighting Phetchaburi province as a model for public-private biodiversity investments, Wignaraja observed successful collaborations like the UNDP's Biodiversity Finance Initiative, which promote economic growth while preserving the environment. Bioeconomy investments there align with Thailand's Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy designation and Kaeng Krachan National Park's status as a World Heritage site.

 

Thailand's pioneering initiatives, such as the Thailand Policy Lab, engage citizens in policy development, addressing transition challenges to an upper-middle-income economy. "I see a renewed commitment from Thailand to advance the sustainable development agenda," Wignaraja stated, stressing that policies must centre on people’s evolving needs and experiences.

 

By localising SDGs and fostering partnerships across sectors, Wignaraja envisions a collaborative path forward, ensuring sustainable growth and inclusive development for all of Thailand, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-24

 

 

1 minute ago, snoop1130 said:

challenges in climate action, nature conservation, and gender equality, identifying that environmental issues disproportionately affect women and girls. "Environmental degradation, waste management issues, and pollution often hit women and girls hardest," she noted, impacting their education, employment, and pay equity.

 

Woke rubbish !! 🤮

This woman is a great example of box-tick appointment nonsense, upward failure, and promoted far beyond her abilities... a complete affront to meritocracy.

Thailand is sliding backwards in time and development.. everything they've done [or haven't done] over the past 4 decades is now coming back to haunt them

...Oh-Oh...

'You will own nothing and live on mealworm pancakes and gruel.

 

'Did we mention your travel privileges have been revoked indefinitely?'

Och aye, she's a Kanni lass.