Prayut's statement to UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015

NEW YORK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha delivered the following statement to the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 On September 27 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

Mr. President,

I come to this historic Summit to reaffirm that the Government and people of Thailand stand with the global community in our resolve to realize the new sustainable development agenda.

I am pleased that the 2030 agenda places people at its core. For people are the ultimate agents of change and hold the key to our sustainability. Our actions today will determine the survival of future generations.

We have transcended doubt that human activity has been the prime contributor to climate change, the greatest threat to ever face humankind.

Knowing what we know now, we have a choice to make. We can continue on the path of rampant consumerism and maximize growth at all costs.

Or we can choose to live sustainably, focusing on quality, moderation and balance in our lives. We can choose to respect nature, rather than viewing it as merely a commodity to be exploited.

What I have just said derives from His Majesty the King's Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. This philosophy - with its emphasis on reason, moderation and building resilience - saw us through several crises, including the 1997 financial crisis and the 2004 tsunami. It also helped Thailand achieve nearly all the MDGs, and guides our 2015-2020 Vision and the forthcoming national economic and social development plan.

Another pressing challenge in our time is inequality. It is the root cause of such problems as poverty, conflict over resources, and irregular migration - problems which may in turn spawn violence.

To address inequality, we must first have effective laws. The Thai Government has passed a number of bills, for example, on the protection of the homeless, gender equality, and promoting equitable access to resources and public services. We want to create a level playing field for all. Effective laws are also needed to promote good governance, accountability and transparency in public administration and to combat corruption and nepotism.

Second, the intrinsic worth of each and every human being must be recognized. The Thai Government is working to empower the vulnerable and the disenfranchised. Various measures have been put in place, such as universal health coverage, a savings fund for retirement, an increase in the monthly allowance for the elderly and the disabled, and a subsidy for babies newly born into poor families. We are also striving to strengthen the individual and the family, enhance community involvement and promote social cohesiveness.

Similar support is also extended to non-citizens. The Thai Government offers social and legal protection to unskilled migrant workers. Last year alone, over 1.6 million migrants were registered and regularized for employment to protect them from human rights abuses and human trafficking.

Nevertheless, many people still need help. And to reach them, especially

the vulnerable groups, we must improve on our statistics and disaggregated data so that they become visible and their needs are more precisely addressed in policy.

At the same time, social recognition of such groups is also important. We have to build a society that is compassionate, respects humanity and embraces equality - values that need to be inculcated from childhood.

Third, we need to create an environment that enables and sustains development. To lay a strong socio-economic foundation, the Thai Government has been empowering local communities through establishing village funds, including women empowerment funds, across the country. These funds are used to assist local SMEs, and they have been effective in helping generate jobs and income for the rural masses.

We are also helping farmers settle their debts and promoting sustainable agriculture practices and agro-industry through local knowledge-sharing and modern technology.

While Thailand enjoys full employment, the Government has also been helping low-income people find jobs through "Smart Job Centers".

Fourth, we believe in reducing inequality not only within countries, but also among them through partnerships for development. We have been working

to narrow the development gaps in mainland Southeast Asia, starting with our neighbours by promoting connectivity and setting up six Special Economic Zones along our borders under the "Thailand Plus One" initiative.

Thailand also aims to strengthen partnerships for development with our friends from outside the region through South-South and trilateral cooperation.

Mr. President,

Only when individuals and communities are strong, can our nations and the global community find true strength. With our shared commitment to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the world in 15 years should see unprecedented reductions in inequality and poverty. Thailand is ready to work with all countries and the United Nations to this end. Let us work together, so that we may grow stronger together, and leave for our children a stable, prosperous and sustainable world.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Prayuts-statemen-to-UN-Sustainable-Development-Sum-30269676.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-28

Oh my where to begin ?

Fixed it

Unsustainable Development Summit 2015

His English seems very good!

"Or we can choose to live sustainably, focusing on quality, moderation and balance in our lives. We can choose to respect nature, rather than viewing it as merely a commodity to be exploited."

What can one say after this diatribe of rubbish......all wonderful dreams, but with the elite managing Thailand.....the poor will remain in their place.

Did he say that anyone not agreeing with his speech, will be called in for attitude ajustment ?

....and guides our 2015-2020 Vision and the forthcoming national economic and social development plan.

Fair play to him, but what is this 2015-2020 vision?! As far as I can remember the PM's vision ends when the road map enables a government!

How did he or his audience keep a straight face? Does he really believe anything will ever change in Thailand? Not even one mention of ASEAN, 2015 was supposed to be the big year that ASEAN takes off. Open borders between member countries, Thai people doing business all over the region, all speaking fluent English, the chosen common language of ASEAN. What happened?

Propaganda at its best ... just like the rest of the UN !

It's not only Thailand ... the whole world is gone insane !!!

Oh my where to begin ?

Here, take this barf bag.

With such a vague, high school speech class litany of "we need to do this and we need to do that" the speech has all the depth and charm of a beauty pageant contestant attempting to make an impression on judges that aren't listening.

I've been googling for international reports on his UN visit, and my results are all just the standard Nation and Bangkok Post reports. My initial reaction was some sort of results filtering/censorship, but it's probably more likely that international news outlets aren't that interested. Anyone outside of thailand getting results of his visit to the UN and any discussions vis-a-vis election timelines?

"For people are the ultimate agents of change and hold the key to our sustainability."

Native American Indians have a saying that one might apply to this statement: "He speaks with a forked tongue."

"Or we can choose to live sustainably, focusing on quality, moderation and balance in our lives. We can choose to respect nature, rather than viewing it as merely a commodity to be exploited."

What can one say after this diatribe of rubbish......all wonderful dreams, but with the elite managing Thailand.....the poor will remain in their place.

The elite run all countries, that is why you have poverty in all countries not just Thailand.

I've been googling for international reports on his UN visit, and my results are all just the standard Nation and Bangkok Post reports. My initial reaction was some sort of results filtering/censorship, but it's probably more likely that international news outlets aren't that interested. Anyone outside of thailand getting results of his visit to the UN and any discussions vis-a-vis election timelines?

He spoke at this conference which is before the main UN General Assembly meeting:

http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

I tried and tried but couldn't find Thailand in the list of speakers to see his speech, the speeches are all grouped into segments. Maybe someone with more time can open the videos and find the right one:

http://webtv.un.org/search/?term=UN%20Sustainable%20Development%20Summit

The main debate at the General Assembly starts today and goes to the 3rd of October. Only the schedule for today is up as it changes as they go along. Since prayut is "PM" Thailand won't be at the end this year, usually the countries that send their foreign ministers go at the end.

http://gadebate.un.org/

this was an exhibition speech....not before the entire UN Assembly

(12 countries present)

successful

priceless