On 27 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed and had a discussion with Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Thailand, on the occasion of her presentation of the letter of credence. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting closer cooperation between Thailand and the UN in driving forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with Thailand's national context and for the benefits of the Thai people.

The UN Resident Coordinator commended Thailand's notable progress on achieving the SDGs, which include the promotion of diversity and gender equality, raising awareness on SDGs through active participation of private sectors, academics and youths, including the strong commitment from the government to drive the sustainable development agenda at all levels. She also reaffirmed the readiness of the UN Country Team in Thailand to support Thailand’s journey towards the SDGs, as well as to support Thailand’s exemplary role in the international arena.

In addition, the Vice Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to drive forward the sustainable development policy and agenda through inclusive participation. He also reaffirmed the government’s readiness to cooperate closely with the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team in Thailand to drive forward government’s priorities such as providing humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, Thailand’s accession to the OECD and strengthening the multilateral system, as well as preparing a new sustainable development cooperation framework between the UN and Thailand that aligns with the country’s interests and key priorities.     ———————-Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

The event, titled A Safe Journey with Her, begins at the Embassy of the Netherlands, travelling through the United Nations building in Ratchadamnoen, before concluding at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Town Square. Organized for the third consecutive year, the cycling tour symbolizes the collective journey toward ending violence against women and girls, an issue that continues to affect millions globally.The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. This year’s theme, “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women,” calls for increased accountability, stronger national strategies, and enhanced support for women’s rights organizations ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.This event is the result of a collaboration between the embassies of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg; the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA); the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS); UN Women; and UNFPA, with support from Café Velodome and the Bangkok Urban Cycling Alliance. Speaking on behalf of the Benelux embassies (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), H.E. Remco van Wijngaarden, Dutch Ambassador in Bangkok, says, “Our role as a diplomatic community and as citizens of the world is to advocate for strong(er) laws, for services that support survivors, and for policies that hold perpetrators accountable. Today, we show our solidarity not only through our words but through our actions. We affirm our commitment to ending violence against women and girls and to building societies where every individual can live free from fear.”This event is perfectly situated in Bangkok, a central hub of the city, with the collaboration of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, making it an ideal location to create greater awareness. The event is more than just a campaign to empower and increase understanding about gender-based violence; it’s also an opportunity to celebrate everyone’s collective efforts and enjoy this moment together, all while working to build a society free from violence against women and children, and to make Bangkok a safer and more livable place for everyone.“The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is unwavering in its commitment to advancing gender equality and ending all forms of violence against women, children, and families. We have strengthened laws and policies to protect rights and worked to transform societal attitudes toward a more inclusive vision of gender equality,” says Mr. Anukul Peedkaew, Permanent Secretary of MSDHS. “By raising awareness among people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, we ensure equal access to rights and liberties, with a focus on respecting human dignity and bodily autonomy. Let us stand united in the principle to ‘not act, not ignore, and not accept’ all forms of violence in our society—because a safe and equitable future starts with us,” he concluded. “As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 16 Days of Activism reminds us that violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable,” says Christine Arab, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and Country Representative for Thailand. “Today’s cycling event in Bangkok symbolizes the collective journey we must take as governments, communities, and individuals to ensure that every woman and girl can live a life free from fear and violence. Together, let us accelerate our efforts, strengthen partnerships, and make the promise of Beijing a reality for all,” she adds.Pio Smith, UNFPA’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, highlights that with the rapid digital advancements in the region, online spaces have also become unsafe for women and girls. “The internet offers unprecedented opportunities for connection, education, and economic participation. Yet, it also brings with it a darker side: technology-facilitated gender-based violence. No woman or girl should face any form of violence – online or offline – under any circumstance. Her safety is not negotiable, and her dignity is not a debate. We must speak louder, we must stand up, and we will continue to stand with her to build a safe, inclusive, and equitable world.” Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office at UNFPA Thailand, states: “Violence against women and girls is preventable, and we now have strong evidence about what works. Comprehensive, well-funded, whole-of-society approaches, including primary prevention and survivor-centered assistance, are key. To achieve effective prevention and response, robust and up-to-date data is essential to inform evidence-based interventions and allocate resources strategically.”In addition to the cycling tour, participants enjoy an open-air screening of Children of the Mist, a poignant film addressing gender-based violence, at Lan Khon Mueang. The screening, introduced by the film's producer, is followed by refreshments and an informal platform for dialogue on current priorities to address violence against women. The event engages around 500 participants, including 250 cyclists.As the world commemorates the 16 Days of Activism, numerous events take place across Asia, the Pacific, and globally to raise awareness and mobilize action. The cycling event in Bangkok is just one of many activities aimed at amplifying the global message: that violence against women is preventable and must be eradicated.See photos from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBSSqtFor more information about the event or to register for the cycling tour, visit https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/events/2024/11/a-safe-journey-with-her-16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-2024Media contact:Katie Elles, UNFPA elles [@] unfpa.org
Diego De La Rosa, UN Women Diego.delarosa [@] unwomen.org

On the occasion, both sides discussed ways to enhance Thailand-UNFPA cooperation on population and development, the promotion of sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, and the well-being of the population throughout the lifecycle. Dr. Onabanjo also commended Thailand’s commitment to the ICPD Programme of Action and active role in enhancing accessibility to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme. She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to continue working closely with Thailand to achieve three key priorities, namely ending preventable maternal deaths, ensuring access to family planning services, and eliminating gender-based violence.
 
In addition, the Director-General reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to work with the UNFPA in Thailand, as well as through South-South and trilateral cooperation. Thailand places importance on the implementation of policies to address demographic shifts and having inclusive data for informed policy-making. The Director-General also encouraged the UNFPA to remain a key partner in advancing development and population issues in Thailand towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).    

BANGKOK, 7 October 2024 - On this year’s International Birth Registration Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are jointly calling for increased awareness of the importance of birth registration. This registration is the first legal recognition of a child and the foundation for securing every person's lifelong right to a legal identity.Thailand has one of the world’s largest stateless populations. As of June 2024, data from the Ministry of Interior confirms there are over 592,340 people registered as stateless in the country, with approximately 169,241 being children. Birth registration is the first step towards a legal identity, and the surest pathway towards nationality and citizenship. Without registration a child may become stateless, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.  In Thailand, birth registration alone does not guarantee a child Thai nationality unless they meet the eligibility criteria under Thai law. However, birth registration is crucial as it records essential information, such as the parents’ nationality, which is necessary for obtaining nationality.  "Birth registration isn't just a formality, it's the key which unlocks a child's right to a legal identity and other rights such as education, healthcare and protection. said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. "Without a birth certificate, children are invisible to the authorities, can become stateless, and may be deprived of further fundamental rights. Their physical and mental health will be at risk, and they will be unable to fully contribute to their families, communities and the country as a whole.  Ending statelessness will enormously benefit children and Thailand, which is why UNICEF will continue to work with the Government and partners such as the UNHCR towards this crucial goal."Under Thai law, every child born in Thailand is entitled to be registered at birth and receive a birth certificate, regardless of their parents' status. However, many children, particularly those from ethnic groups in remote areas, remain unregistered due to a lack of awareness or resources. In April, the Royal Thai Government reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these challenges by formally joining the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, a coalition that will be launched on 14 October in Geneva.In recent years, Thailand has made considerable reforms to its nationality and civil registration laws, creating a legislative framework that offers pathways for stateless individuals to acquire nationality. However, progress in translating policy into practice, especially at the local level, remains limited and slow with only a small number of stateless people successfully obtaining a nationality or permanent residency.“Governments hold the power to enact legal and policy reforms that can help stateless people on their territory acquire citizenships,” said Tammi Sharpe, UNHCR Representative in Thailand “UNHCR applauds the steps taken by the Royal Thai Government to address statelessness and encourages the Government to remain focused on the issues in order to eradicate statelessness in Thailand through robust civil registration.”A UNHCR study conducted in 2021 highlighted key challenges in ending childhood statelessness around the world. The study, Revision of Nationality Procedures in Thailand: Bottlenecks Analysis and Recommendations, found that complex procedures, lack of awareness among parents and officials, limited resource at local level, geographical barriers and negative attitudes among officials towards stateless people are obstacles in addressing statelessness.UNICEF and UNHCR are working closely with the Royal Thai Government to raise awareness and facilitate birth registration, all with the goal of accelerating progress towards ending childhood statelessness.As part of these efforts UNICEF and UNHCR are launching a video series featuring children who were born stateless in Thailand, some of whom have since gained a legal identity and some of whom are still struggling to obtain this right Their stories will be featured on our social media platforms throughout October and November.For more information, please visit https://www.unicef.org/thailand/endstatelessness or
https://www.unhcr.org/th/