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12 August 2022
International Youth Day â UN SG's Message
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12 August 2022
International Youth Day â UN Secretary-General's Message (12 August 2022)
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27 July 2022
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Thailand
With 21 United Nations entities represented in Thailand, our work encompasses all of the SDGs. The United Nations Country Team supports activities with particular focus on the following goals: SDG1.3 on expanding the reach of social protection; SDG 3.4 tackling non-communicable diseases; SDG 4.1 education for all, with a focus on migrant children; SDG 5.5 advocacy for greater participation of women in political decision making; SDG 8.3 support to small to medium-sized enterprises and youth innovation; 10.2 inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTI community; SDG 10.7 migration governance; SDG 13.2 climate change strategies at national and local level; SDG 16.1 supporting social cohesion to end violence in southern Thailand; SDG 16.9 advocacy and support to end statelessness; SDG 17.7 partnerships with private sector for sustainable development; and, SDG 17.9 the sharing of Thailandâs experience and best practices through South-South exchanges.
Video
28 June 2022
In landmark move, all 76 governors in Thailand sign SDGs pactâwith focus on climate action
The following remarks were made, near verbatim, to reporters by StĂŠphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, at the daily Noon Briefing on Monday, 6 June, 2022:
Our UN team in Thailand, led by Resident Coordinator Gita Sabharwal, tell us that in a landmark session held in June, all 76 governors in Thailand signed the Statement of Commitment for a Sustainable Thailand, focusing on climate action.
This places governors in the front and centre to drive the Sustainable Development Goals, partnering with the UN team, local authorities and communities, particularly on solutions to reduce CO2 emissions through technology transfer, biodiversity and ecological tourism.
We will also work on nature-based solutions for biomass burning and reducing pollution, smart farming, and strengthening community resilience through adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
To learn more about the results of the UN's work in Thailand, read the latest country team report.
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31 May 2022
Opinion: tobacco's environmental threat
Tobacco kills our environment, not just people.
Tobacco causes over 8 million deaths every year globally and 81,000 in Thailand. Simultaneously, each year, tobacco destroys a vast landmass roughly the size of 44,000 Suan Luang Rama IX parks, the largest green park in Bangkok, causes massive deforestation and pollutes our environment.
This year's World No Tobacco Day, observed today, addresses environmental damage throughout the entire tobacco cycle -- from farming, production, usage to disposal.
Thailand is the second-largest tobacco-leaf producer in Asean and the 16th in the world. Tobacco cultivation requires more toxic agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides and insecticides) than non-tobacco crops. Thailand is also highlighted as one of the countries that have suffered tobacco-driven habitat destruction, according to "Tobacco and its environmental impact: an overview" by the WHO.
After being harvested, tobacco leaves are cured (dried) by wood fires, a process unnecessary for other crops. One tree is required for every 300 cigarettes. Thailand produces 36 billion cigarettes annually, escalating deforestation and contributing to the drop in Thailand's forest cover to 31.7% in 2019 from 53.5% in 1961.
Extensive paper use also advances deforestation: globally, cigarette wrapping and packaging consume 6.4km of paper every hour. Overall, an estimated 600 million trees are chopped down every year for tobacco cultivation, curing and production.
Greenhouse gases from tobacco smoke contribute to climate change. Smoking three cigarettes produces a PM2.5 level 10 times higher than the amount released by a diesel car engine idling for 30 minutes. Worldwide, 7.4 trillion cigarettes and other smoking products were consumed in 2019. In Thailand, 39 billion cigarettes are smoked yearly or over 100 million sticks every day. The magnitude of tobacco consumption suggests enormous amounts of pollutants are being emitted into the atmosphere.
Nearly two-thirds of what remains after smoking, or a cigarette butt, ends up on the street, children's parks, beaches, rivers and oceans. Cigarette butts are made of plastic (cellulose acetate) with more than 4,000 toxic chemicals. Every year around the world, 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are dumped in our environment, making them the world's number one littered plastic item. Discarded cigarette butts harm the ecosystem, affect flooding by clogging the drains and also cause forest fires. Cigarette waste littered annually in Thailand amounts to the weight of nearly 6,000 Asian elephants.
Discarded butts on beaches and natural environments also raise economic concerns as nature provides vital resources for tourism-oriented countries like Thailand. The travel and tourism sector contributed nearly 20% of Thailand's GDP in 2019, with 8 million jobs. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources estimated that nearly 2 million cigarette butts were discarded on just 11 popular Thai beaches in 2017.
The Thai government has banned smoking and littering on the 24 most popular beaches since 2018. The ban should cover the remaining 333 beaches to protect locals, tourists, and natural resources.
Tobacco control can protect not just people, but also Thailand's environment, ecosystem and economy. Thailand can enhance the dual protection by increasing tobacco taxes, supporting tobacco farmers with alternative livelihoods, assisting tobacco users to quit, and requiring the tobacco industry to bear the cleanup costs, among others. These require a whole-of-society, whole-of-government approach, involving multiple sectors such as finance, health, environment, agriculture, education and civil society. Integrating tobacco control as part of environmental protection and climate change adaptation can accelerate the country's progress toward multiple sustainable development goals.
Quitting tobacco saves our planet, saves lives.
This piece was originally published on the Bangkok Post in support of World No Tobacco Day which falls on May 31 each year.
Renaud Meyer is Resident Representative of UNDP Thailand. Dr Jos Vandelaer is the WHO Representative to Thailand.
Tags: #WorldNoTobaccoDay #ClimateChange #Deforestation #Tobacco
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13 June 2022
UNHCR launches the â11th Refugee Film Festivalâ to commemorate World Refugee Day amidst the alarming global displacement crisis
The number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution has now crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million for the first time on record, propelled by the war in Ukraine and new waves of violence or protracted conflict in countries including Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Nigeria, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
âThese numbers are staggering and troubling. We all share responsibility to protect people seeking safety in a country other than their own and to address all causes of forced displacement. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that they have a chance to rebuild their lives and to contribute to the searching of long-term solutions,â said Giuseppe De Vincentiis, UNHCR Representative in Thailand.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has been working closely with relevant stakeholders to provide humanitarian assistance to people forced to flee for 72 years to ensure that everyone has the right to seek safety and is entitled to safe and dignified treatment according to international protection principles.
To commemorate World Refugee Day which falls on 20 June, UNHCR Thailand in partnerships with U.S. Embassy Bangkok, the Embassy of Canada to Thailand, the Embassy of Denmark to Thailand, Paragon Cineplex, Documentary Club, TV Burabha and PlanToys organize the 11th Refugee Film Festival to showcase refugee stories with award-winning movies and documentaries from around the globe.
âAmidst global crisis and complexities, movies might not be an absolute answer, but they are an effective tool to create sympathy and connect people with the movie characters â connecting one story to another from a different corner of the world. We have seen global refugee crisis and sufferings in many areas, good movies will help create an empathic understanding of individualâs thoughts and emotions in addition to public information we receive,â said Kong Rithdee, Deputy Director of the Thai Film Archive (Public Organization).
Kritsanaphol Pongtanavaranont, Managing Director, TV Burabha stresses that the âprivate sector plays a crucial role in amplifying voices on behalf of refugees and how we can support them. As a TV production company, we can be part of global humanitarian efforts by delivering evidence-based messages and encouraging information sharing. The aim is to translate words into actions and make lasting changes for refugeesâ.
The 11th Refugee Film Festival for World Refugee Day will be screened between 17 â 20 June 2022 at Theatre 11, Paragon Cineplex. Feel free to register with no admission fee for the following 5 movies and documentaries;
Captain of Zaâatari from Egypt;
Disneyâs Encanto supported by the U.S. Embassy Bangkok;
Flee supported by Documentary Club;
Life overtakes me with special screening permission from Netflix, and;
Wandering: A Rohingya Story, a powerful documentary observing the incredible resilience from inside the worldâs largest refugee camp, Kutupalong.
Registration Link at https://linktr.ee/rff11th. Other activities at the event include the showcase of Refugee Housing Unit and a Tuk Tuk painting workshop to support refugee children in Thailand at the entrance of Paragon Cineplex, 5th floor, Siam Paragon.
Throughout June, feel free to join UNHCRâs special campaign to show solidarity with refugees by uploading your photo with the solidarity ribbon and tag #WithRefugees at www.unhcr.org/th/en/world-refugee-day.
Tags: #UNHCRThailand #WithRefugees #WorldRefugeeDay
This piece was originally published on UNHCR Thailand.
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Story
12 March 2022
Act now: learn what you can do to stop climate change!
To preserve a livable climate, greenhouse-gas emissions must be reduced to net zero by 2050. Bold, fast, and wide-ranging action needs to be taken by governments and businesses. But the transition to a low-carbon world also requires the participation of citizens â especially in advanced economies.
ActNow is the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability.
Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can be part of the solution and influence change.
Use the app to log your actions and contribute to the global count.
Energy and transport are key
Food matters
The Race to Zero is on
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Much of our electricity and heat are still powered by coal, oil, and gas. Airplanes and cars also run mostly on fossil fuels. To reduce your carbon footprint, use less energy at home, switch to a wind or solar-energy provider, skip a long-haul flight, and drive less.
⢠The High-level Dialogue on Energy
⢠The Global Sustainable Transport Conference
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The production, processing, transport, consumption, and disposal of food all contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions. To reduce your impact on the climate, buy local and seasonal food, eat more plant-based meals, use up what you have, and compost any leftovers.
⢠Learn how you can be a food hero
⢠Read about the UN Food Systems Summit
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Concrete steps by all sectors of society will determine our ability to rapidly transition to a climate-resilient future. Speak up: Appeal to world leaders, encourage your city, region and university, and urge businesses to take urgent action toward net-zero emissions.
⢠Mobilize for the Race to Zero
⢠Track the net-zero coalition
Start with these ten actions!
Our lifestyles have a profound impact on our planet. Our choices matter. Around two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to private households. The energy, food, and transport sectors each contribute about 20 per cent of lifestyle emissions. From the electricity we use, to the food we eat and the way we travel, we can make a differenceâmake the shift to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Start with these ten actions below to help tackle the climate crisis. For more tips, and to log your actions, download the app.
Save energy at home
Much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and gas. Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water, or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer.
Walk, bike, or take public transport
The worldâs roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or gasoline. Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and help your health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And carpool whenever possible.
Eat more vegetables
Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Producing plant-based foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land, and water.
Consider your travel
Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing significant greenhouse gas emissions. That makes taking fewer flights one of the fastest ways to reduce your environmental impact. When you can, meet virtually, take a train, or skip that long-distance trip altogether.
Throw away less food
When you throw food away, you're also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, package, and transport it. And when food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. So use what you buy and compost any leftovers.
Reduce, reuse, repair & recycle
Electronics, clothes, and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. To protect our climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair what you can, and recycle.
Change your home's source of energy
Ask your utility company if your home energy comes from oil, coal or gas. If possible, see if you can switch to renewable sources such as wind or solar. Or install solar panels on your roof to generate energy for your home.
Switch to an electric vehicle
If you plan to buy a car, consider going electric, with more and cheaper models coming on the market. Even if they still run on electricity produced from fossil fuels, electric cars help reduce air pollution and cause significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gas or diesel-powered vehicles.
Choose eco-friendly products
Everything we spend money on affects the planet. You have the power to choose which goods and services you support. To reduce your environmental impact, buy local and seasonal foods, and choose products from companies who use resources responsibly and are committed to cutting their gas emissions and waste.
Speak up
Speak up and get others to join in taking action. It's one of the quickest and most effective ways to make a difference. Talk to your neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family. Let business owners know you support bold changes. Appeal to local and world leaders to act now.
For more detailed information on low-carbon lifestyles, see the UN Environment Programmeâs Emissions Gap Report 2020.
Illustrations: Niccolo Canova
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Story
29 May 2022
UN Headquarters Observes International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on 26 May
Peacekeeper from Thailand among those honoured posthumously at UN ceremony.
UN Headquarters observed the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Thursday, 26 May 2022. Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres laid a wreath to honour the nearly 4,200 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and presided over a ceremony at which the Dag HammarskjĂśld Medal was awarded posthumously to 117 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their life serving under the UN flag last year.
Among the peacekeepers honoured posthumously was one from Thailand: MS 1st Class Kiattisak Prapananurak who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan.
Thailand is the 46th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping. It currently deploys 281 military and police personnel to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and 5 military officers to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
During the special ceremony, the Secretary-General awarded the âCaptain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courageâ posthumously to Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar of Chad, who served with the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The medal was named for a Senegalese peacekeeper who was killed in Rwanda in 1994 after saving countless civilian lives. This was the second time the medal had been awarded since the inaugural medal was presented to Captain Diagne's family in his honour in 2016.
The Secretary-General also awarded the â2021 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Awardâ to Major Winnet Zharare, a Zimbabwean military observer, who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan. Created in 2016, the Award ârecognises the dedication and effort of an individual peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.â
In his message, the Secretary-General said: âToday, we honour the more than one million women and men who have served as UN peacekeepers since 1948. We pay tribute to the nearly 4,200 heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives in the cause of peace. And we are reminded an age-old truth: peace can never be taken for granted. Peace is the prize. We are deeply grateful to the 87,000 civilian, police and military personnel now serving under the UN flag who are helping to realize the prize of peace worldwide.â
The theme for this yearâs observance is âPeople. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships.â According to the Secretary-General, âAround the globe, UN peacekeepers work with Member States, civil society, humanitarians, the media, the communities they serve and many others, to foster peace, protect civilians, promote human rights and the rule of law and improve the lives of millions of people.â
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said: âEvery day, UN peacekeepers work to protect vulnerable people in the worldâs most fragile political and security situations. The dangers they face are greater than ever, with increasing global tensions, ever-more complex threats from terrorist attacks to organized crime and the use of Improvised Explosive Devices as well as a surge in mis and disinformation targeting our missions and the communities we serve. Despite these challenges, peacekeepers persevere alongside our many partners in the collective pursuit of peace. Today, we thank them for their tremendous contribution and remember with great sorrow our colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the cause of peace.â
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the General Assembly in 2002, to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. The General Assembly designated 29 May as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in commemoration of the day in 1948 when the UNâs first peacekeeping mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine. Since then, more than 1 million women and men have served in 72 UN peacekeeping operations.
For more information, please visit the Peacekeepers Day websites here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/peacekeepers-day; or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/international-day-of-peacekeepers-2022
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24 July 2022
IOM-UNICEF strengthen sustainable reintegration services of migrants in Asia
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Thailand and the United Nations Childrenâs Fund (UNICEF) Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific held a three-day Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Reintegration Services in Asia on 19, 20 and 21 July 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. Around 35 government and non-government participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Mongolia, Thailand, and Viet Nam gathered to learn about challenges and best practices and discuss how to strengthen the coordination of services to support the sustainable reintegration of migrant returnees.
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been significant for Asian countries, in particular for migrant workers and their families. The pandemic led to exacerbated vulnerabilities for migrants due to a multitude of factors including socio-economic, logistical, and health issues. Some migrants became stranded due to mobility restrictions, while others lost their income because of unemployment and unfavourable market conditions.
Authorities of the seven participating countries discussed existing practices as well as challenges faced in organizing the return and reception of migrants, as well as responding to the needs of victims of trafficking and those in exploitative situations. Children traveling with their families or unaccompanied are especially vulnerable in the context of returns and reintegration: the key principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, most notably the principle of the best interests of the child, must be applied, which calls for advanced coordination between governments and their partners to ensure adequate support. Underlying the complexity of the reintegration process, the training focused on the importance of an integrated approach to reintegration, taking into account social, economic and psychosocial dimensions.
âChildren are often overlooked in return and reintegration processes. If childrenâs rights, needs and concerns are overlooked, then reintegration will not be sustainable. Understanding the principles that underpin child-sensitive return policies, as well as the safeguards that are required to protect children during returns processes, is therefore key,â explained Eri Mathers Suzuki, Acting Regional Advisor for Child Protection for UNICEF East Asia and Pacific.
GĂŠraldine Ansart, Chief of Mission at IOM Thailand adds, âWe are looking forward to the fruitful exchanges of best practices between the representatives of these governments and their civil society partners. IOM missions are working constantly to share methodologies and integrated approaches for sustainable reintegration as well as develop successful partnerships, with support from our Regional Office and Headquarters. Bringing in the expertise of UNICEF is a valuable collaboration to ensure reintegration services are attentive to the needs of migrant children as well as children who remain behind when their parents migrate.â
The training was organized with the support of the European Union (EU) through the EU-IOM Knowledge Management Hub initiative, as well as the United Statesâ Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. UNICEFâs engagement was made possible through the EU/UNICEF co-funded cross-regional programme âProtecting Children Affected by Migration in Southeast, South and Central Asiaâ.
The EU-IOM Knowledge Management Hub was established in 2017 under the Pilot Action on Voluntary Return and Sustainable, Community-Based Reintegration funded by the European Union. It aims at assisting the implementation of the EU-IOM Actions in support of migrant protection and reintegration by ensuring coherent voluntary return and reintegration approaches, including through capacity-building activities and cross-regional experience sharing workshops; harmonising monitoring and evaluation activities; setting up knowledge management tools; and producing knowledge products. As part of this, it is rolling-out a reintegration training programme, based on the Reintegration Handbook.
For more information, contact Yvain Bon ybon@iom.int and Caroline den Dulk cdendulk@unicef.org
This piece was originally published by IOM Thailand.
Tags: #migrants #decentwork #socialprotection
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24 July 2022
Opinion: domestic workers have rights too
'I have many Thai domestic worker friends who are 50 to 60 years old. They have worked since they were in their late teens or early twenties. This is their occupation. They have jobs and employers like other workers do. But the government has excluded domestic workers from receiving social security benefits," said Champa, a migrant domestic worker in Thailand.
Domestic workers play a critical role in the life of many families in Thailand where we depend on them to cook, clean, drive our cars, tend to our gardens, and look after our children and elderly. Meanwhile, the demand for domestic workers will likely increase with an rapidly ageing population in Thailand. As the Thai economy evolves, and offers more education and better paid employment opportunities for its nationals, migrant workers, predominately women, are stepping in to perform this critical role of caretaking.
Unfortunately, in Thailand, domestic workers, especially migrants, are still largely excluded from important labour protections. We therefore call for the recognition of domestic work as work, that working conditions for domestic workers are decent, and that this group of workers are given the same rights and protections, including social security, as other workers.
One of the key dimensions of decent work is access to social security, which is still far from a reality for most domestic workers. In fact, data shows that close to 80% of domestic workers in Thailand directly employed by households are not registered under the Social Security Fund.
One key impact of such a barrier is that women domestic workers, who are the majority, cannot benefit from from paid maternity leave. They must choose between work or leaving their job to take care of their newborns and losing an important source of income.
Similarly with paid sick leave or income replacement in the event of an injury or sickness, what should an employer do if a worker gets injured while working in their household? Should the employer let go of the worker and leave them without income or to shoulder what could be long-term support payments? Such a difficult choice should not be left to individual households to make.
The problem is that the current system in Thailand excludes domestic workers from the mandatory provisions of the Social Security Act (Section 33), meaning that employers cannot register their workers. The only option is for domestic workers to register themselves on the voluntary scheme (Section 40). There are different reasons why this is not an optimal solution. Firstly, Section 40 provides a lower scope and level of protection, not including for instance working injury, maternity and pensions. Secondly, under this arrangement, only the worker has to contribute, freeing the employer from any responsibility. Finally, Section 40 is not available for migrant domestic workers, which means that a large majority of domestic workers is completely excluded from any access to social security, with the exception of the voluntary Migrant Health Insurance scheme.
A forthcoming policy review produced under the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection for All, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) shows that there is still a long way to go until domestic workers have the same social security rights as other workers. However, as we see in other parts of the world like Malaysia and the Philippines, the situation is changing and it is also possible to witness in Thailand a growing consensus on the need to change this situation.
A recent survey showed that employers of domestic workers are increasingly open to the idea of contributing to social security. We believe it is the time to seriously consider eliminating the existing barriers for domestic workers participation in this regard.
In Thailand, the Ministerial Regulation 14, attached to the Labour Protection Act, excludes domestic workers from a range of important protections. Very positively, the Royal Thai Government is now reviewing this regulation, with the aim of increasing domestic workers rights, such as minimum wage and regulated working hours.
Extending social protection to domestic workers, albeit challenging, will be beneficial for Thai society and the economy. Not only is social protection one of the pillars of decent work, but it will also facilitate the transition of the sector into the formal economy. Formalising domestic work and providing equal protection to domestic workers will lead to greater productivity and retention which is also in the interest of employers.
Placing domestic workers under the mandatory provisions of the Social Security Act Section 33 will open participation to migrant workers. With full protection, there will be a greater incentive for workers to migrate regularly, but it will also create fair competition between Thai and migrant workers, as they will have the same rights as well as the same obligations.
By putting the rights of domestic workers front and centre, we will see the benefits of a more equitable and sustainable society, where no one is left behind.
This piece was originally published on the Bangkok Post.
Geraldine Ansart is Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Thailand. Graeme Buckley is Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Thailand, Cambodia, and Lao People's Democratic Republic. Sarah Knibbs, is Officer-in-Charge for the United Nations Organization for the Promotion of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (UN Women) for Asia and the Pacific.
Tags: #migration #socialprotection #decentwork #genderequality
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02 June 2022
Business leaders in Southeast Asia highlight 3 priorities for sustainability
Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT), together with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the UN Country Team in Thailand have emphasized that empowering more business leaders will be key to achieving sustainability in Southeast Asia.
'Climate change', 'biodiversity' and 'inclusive social development' were the top priorities identified by the 'UNGC Leaders Summit 2022,' including the need for scale SMEs engagement locally with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With over 10,000 attendees joining online and in-person, the 'UNGC Leaders Summit 2022: Sustainability in ASEAN' convened business leaders, civil society, governments, and the Global Compact Networks from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. This year's #LeadersSummit builds on progress achieved in catalyzing local and regional solutions that aim at accelerating efforts towards the SDGs, in particular on climate action and the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of UN Global Compact, spoke about the challenges facing the world today: âToday the world is still struggling to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic â a battle that will only be won when vaccines reach everyone â and remedy the disruptions it has set off in the global economy. Earlier this year, the IPCC published its gloomiest report yet, warning that time is no longer on our side to prevent a climate change catastrophe. And on top of these disasters, the war in Ukraine is posing a direct systemic and persisting threat to global security on three fronts: food, energy and human. In times such as these, business is called upon to act. A reason for optimism is that we are seeing businesses taking action; providing solutions; forming coalitions of the willing. Nevertheless there is still more that needs to be done, particularly with regard to mobilizing the financing and investments required for delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.â
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, said in her opening remarks: âThe ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN), consisting of representatives of the private sector from the Asia-Pacific region, has adopted the Asia Pacific Green Deal for Business Declaration as a roadmap for companies to take the lead on climate action. ESBN, through this Green Deal, will lead private sector sustainability efforts to accelerate a green transformation in the region.â
Noppadol Dej-Udom, Chief Sustainability Officer of Chareon Pokphand Group and Secretary-General, Global Compact Network Thailand, said: "The UN Global Compact was set up to direct the power of business as a force for good. It started with the recognition that businesses have contributed significantly to create and intensify most of the worldâs major problems: climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, inequality, and violation of human rights."
At the same time, businesses possess the resources and capabilities to help solve these problems, he noted. "As business leaders, we must shoulder the responsibility of not only addressing our own negative impacts on environment and society â or the âdo no harmâ approach, but also go further to utilize our energy and expertise to actively help solve those problems."
Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol, Secretary-General of Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission, said: âAs the Thai capital market regulator, SEC is committed to promoting the development of sustainable investment climate and responsible investment business in line with the SDGs. In so doing, we aim to enhance competitiveness, ensure inclusiveness, and strengthen trust and confidence in the Thai capital market. We also seek to increase the knowledge and the sense of ownership of the SDGs with support from the government, businesses, and international organizations. We are driving all our efforts to build the capital market as a key engine for restructuring and digitizing the Thai economy. We believe our continuing efforts will help the economy adapt to the changing landscape and be recognized in the international arena.â
During the panel discussion, participants at the 'SDGs Ambition' session discussed the importance and value of defining and integrating the SDGs through supply chain operations. Reaching 'net zero' targets will require sizable commitments from business leaders, they noted, in addition to investments in new technology and collaboration. The cost of not initiating change will be higher and different across industries as seen by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also discussed about the integration of sustainability in SMEs operations to unlock new market opportunities and build sustainable business ecosystems driven by sharing of best practices. They also noted foreseeable trends in social investment which will see business increasing investments and commitment to social sustainability issues at unprecedented levels, especially in the face of the climate crisis.
Speaking at the session, Gloyta Nathalang, Executive Vice President of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, said that business leaders must set clear, achievable goals. "Leading inclusively" is a key component of Bangchak Group's stakeholder engagement as it works closely with all partners to reach its carbon neutrality target in 2030 and to be net-zero in 2050.
Peerapong Krinchai, Executive Vice President, Corporate Engineering, CPF Thailand shared that CPF was moving towards cost-effective rotation of natural resources in its value chain and zero greenhouse gas emissions. A priority was still in developing standards for traceable, deforestation-free sourcing of raw materials throughout its supply chain by 2030, for which Blockchain technology would be important.
Closing the forum, Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, commended the progress of private sector collaboration towards achieving sustainability, noting in her video message that "the private sector will play an important role in supporting the country's aspirations under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) over the next five years, and addressing common issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change together offers our best chance of doing so.â
To learn more about the UN's work in Thailand in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Network Thailand, read the UN Resident Coordinator's message to the Forum.
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Story
22 May 2022
Opinion: a call for sustainable recovery effort in Asia-Pacific
The unique and populous Asia-Pacific region is made up of 58 countries of which 12 are classified as least developed countries (LDCs) under the United Nations classification. This means they are recognised as countries that have "low levels of income and face severe structural impediments to sustainable development". Given their underlying vulnerabilities, the countries and populations of the Asia-Pacific bear the brunt of the uneven effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As we have seen, the pandemic exposed common fragilities of under-resourced and inadequate health, economic and social systems across the Asia-Pacific region. This demanded major overhauls within the limited capacities of Asia-Pacific nations who are still fighting against extreme poverty, to achieve sustainable development, and the existential threats due to climate change. As a result, governments have had to divert funds and increase external borrowings to boost their stimulus packages in response to the pandemic.
In pre-Covid times, effective reforms contributed to socio-economic progress for some of the countries within the region, which have lifted millions of people out of poverty. However, many of these hard-won achievements have suffered setbacks in the wake of the pandemic.
Tomorrow I will arrive in Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the 78th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It is here that leaders of the region, together with stakeholders, will gather to discuss and devise a post-Covid sustainable recovery agenda under the theme, "A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific". While in Bangkok, I will meet with leaders, the UN country teams, youth representatives, and civil society organisations.
As the meetings unfold on Monday, it will be at the helm of increased complexities of international trade, peace and order as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. With this, the Asia-Pacific region is set to face higher inflation rates which will further subject the marginalised and vulnerable societies to higher levels of food insecurity and fuel prices, and resultant poverty.
The region needs to build back stronger together and the Escap's 78th session is an opportune moment to chart an inclusive and resilient way forward. While each country faces unique challenges and have different circumstances, the transversal nature of these issues demands global and regional cooperation. They demand learning from each other. As we have learnt from the pandemic, no country is safe until all countries are safe. Sustainable and resilient recovery is an urgent and critical agenda.
I am confident that the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region lies in enhanced regional and multilateral cooperation. Where leaders, the private sector, civil society organisations, the United Nations and all stakeholders come together to bring hope for the people, prosperity and the planet.
As president of the General Assembly of the United Nations, I chose "hope" as the theme of my presidency for the 76th Session of the General Assembly because, given the despair and destruction we have seen, hope is what the world needs right now. With this vision, I have strongly advocated on recovering from the pandemic, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, and respecting the rights of all, which I believe can contribute to a global appetite for building back better and stronger. These tenets of my presidency of hope will underpin the elements of my message in Bangkok.
I am no stranger to the consequences of climate change, nor the discourse around sustainable development. As a citizen and long-time politician of a small island developing state, the Maldives, these issues have continuously formed part of my efforts, especially as we face the existential threats of a changing climate. I know what it means to wake up every day worried about the future of your land, your identity, and your culture. I know the anxiety and weariness driven by technological barriers, access to adequate finance, and by unpredictable and unreliable global supply chains. I know the challenges, the confrontations, the consequences. I, with the citizens of my country and those like us, live them each day.
The discussions at Escap's 78th session will be important in paving the way for strengthened and enhanced regional cooperation to advance action on the underlying issues of sustainable development.
A post-pandemic recovery must address economic, social and environmental inequities including those around the digital and data divide. The Asia-Pacific region will be left behind without necessary digital transformations.
Likewise, it is important that policymakers pursue action-oriented discussions from a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. This will be crucial to fully grasp the extent of the impacts within communities and in ensuring no one is left behind. We need to hear from those that live through the challenges, including the women and children.
My overall message to leaders, stakeholders and the international community at Escap's 78th session will be very clear: reclaiming the future at the heart of strengthened global partnership will be fundamental for a sustainable recovery in the Asia-Pacific region.
Original article published on Bangkok Post, "A call for sustainable recovery effort in Asia-Pacific", 21st of May by Abdulla Shahid.
Abdulla Shahid is the President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
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Story
22 April 2022
UN teams up with Google for verified climate information
Science, Solutions, Solidarity
For a livable planet
Millions of people around the world go to Google to get information about climate change and sustainability. Now, when users search for âclimate change,â they will find authoritative information from the United Nations in 12 languages including Thai. In addition to organic search results, Google is surfacing short and easy-to-understand information panels and visuals on the causes and effects of climate change, as well as individual actions that people can take to help tackle the climate crisis.
âWe are happy to collaborate with Google to ensure that factual, trustworthy content about climate change is available to as wide a global audience as possible,â said Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. âMisinformation is so widespread these days that it threatens progress and understanding on many critical issues, including climate. The need for accurate, science-based information on a subject like climate change to rise to the top of searches has therefore never been greater.â
In his 2021 report, Our Common Agenda, United Nations Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres called for tackling the âinfodemicâ of misinformation plaguing the world and proposed introducing a global code of conduct that promotes integrity in public information and facts and science in public discourse.
For Google, the search features are part of a larger push to build products and tools that empower people to better understand and limit their personal environmental impact. âGlobal search interest in âhow to be sustainableâ reached an all-time high this year,â said Chris LaRosa, Senior Product Manager, when the climate search feature was first launched in three languages last October. âAt Google, we believe technology has a crucial role to play in a carbon-free future and we want to help people make more sustainable choices every day.â
Following the English, French and Spanish versions rolled out last fall, UN climate content is now featured on Google Search also in Thai, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Vietnamese.
For more information, please see: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/sustainability-2021
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Press Release
10 December 2021
FAO in Asia-Pacific calls for improvements to early warning systems as concerns grow over evolving avian influenza and potential threat to humans
Bangkok â Cases of avian influenza are rising globally, with 272 additional events of outbreaks in birds recorded worldwide by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in little more than a month.
The FAO data records the increase since 27 October 2021. Increased avian influenza activity has been seen in the Asia-Pacific region, but also in Africa and Europe during the past year and it is suspected that wild birds may play a role in spreading the virus globally.
In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza A(H5N6) has caused 52 human infections in the Asia-Pacific region since 2014, half of which have occurred in 2021, and mostly in people with close contact with poultry prior to infection.
âAvian influenza viruses are constantly evolving, and we must be vigilant to detact new subtypes of the virus that could devastate poultry production systems in the region or infect humans, which can lead to a pandemic,â said FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Regional Manager Kachen Wongsathapornchai.
âThere is an urgent need to better share information on what strains of influenza circulate in Asia and ensure countries take the necessary steps to protect the public health and the livelihoods of their communities.â he added.
In response to this situation, FAO ECTAD has been consulting with more than 40 experts on avian influenza viruses to discuss what can be done to improve avian influenza surveillance and early warning systems in the Asia-Pacific region.
The ideal early warning system: better data drive smarter decisions
During the consultations, FAO and various experts emphasized the importance of information sharing to improve early warning, prevent the virusâ spread and minimize the global impacts of avian influenza. âBetter data would have helped countries and the international community determine preparedness and response more quickly and confidently,â said Filip Claes, FAO ECTAD Regional Laboratory Coordinator.
In particular, FAO and experts encourage countries to:
Rapidly share surveillance results and sequence information with the international community and neighboring countries to improve early warning and better prepare for virus incursions.
Conduct targeted surveillance to detect the disease risk in migratory birds and poultry value chains.
Enhance public trust in science and build strong multilateral collaboration in diverse areas, involving public and private sectors, research institutions, communities, and others.
Build integration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors during surveillance activities through the One Health approach.
The way forward â a call for collective action
The current ongoing and evolving avian influenza situation is an opportunity to recognize and address the national and global efforts to tackle the virus. FAO and experts are calling for collective action to share relevant avian influenza information with the international and scientific communities, and create a true international early warning network that can benefit countriesâ preparedness efforts.
FAO provides early warning information on zoonotic and animal disease outbreaks, such as H5Nx avian influenza. Member countries can share their disease information on the EMPRES-i platform, and avian influenza sequences with the OIE/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU).
For media inquiries please contact Allan Dow at allan.dow[a]fao.org and Rindu Putri at rindu.putri[a]fao.org
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Press Release
06 December 2021
UNOPS Lives in Dignity call for proposals opens with EUR 12 million available for displacement aid projects in Southeast Asia
Geneva, Switzerland - Following the launch of the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility and the first call for proposals in June 2021, the European Union (EU) has allocated âŹ12m for a second call for proposals to support local, innovative and development-oriented projects working to assist displacement-affected communities in three additional acute displacement crises.
Forced displacement remains one of the worldâs greatest sources of human suffering â according to UNHCRâs Mid-Year Trends Report 2021, global displacement looks set to exceed 84 million by mid-2021, an increase from 82.4 million reported at the end of 2020, with 85 per cent of those displaced hosted in developing countries. The impact of climate change is likely to accelerate the scale of this crisis.
Following the launch of the first call for proposals in June 2021, projects have been selected in central America, the Sahel and countries affected by the Afghanistan crisis. The projects span local initiatives run by local NGOs to government-led programmes and national and international partnerships. They range from building climate-sensitive infrastructure for displaced communities at risk of extreme weather, supporting and growing livelihood opportunities among displaced and host communities, developing water, sanitation and health systems in areas of inadequate service provision, to relocation programmes in areas at severe risk of disaster. Each project will be formally announced in the coming weeks on the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility web pages.
The second call for proposals will focus on projects in countries that have been impacted by the displacement crises in the Horn of Africa, and related to Myanmar and Venezuela. In alignment with the first call, proposals are expected to draw upon and develop new forms of collaboration between humanitarian, development and peace actors, with an emphasis on the engagement of affected populations and local leadership. Potential partners are asked to submit a concept note for the project they wish to have funded by the 23 January 2022 deadline â expanded proposals will then be requested from those who are shortlisted.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: âThe first call for proposals from the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility has demonstrated the value of a more local approach to forced displacement. Each selected project offers new and innovative ways to support communitiesâ resilience and empower their members through livelihoods and basic services. The second call for proposals focuses on some of the worldâs most challenging displacement crises. It is our hope that this call too will spur approaches and solutions that make a concrete difference in the lives of displaced people and their hosts.â
The Call for Proposals
The second Call for Proposals focuses on the following countries:
South and Southeast Asia: countries affected by both the Myanmar forced displacement situation and disaster/climate-related displacement: (Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand).
Horn of Africa: Countries highly relevant to the SudanâSouth Sudan situation (South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda).
Americas: Countries highly affected by the Venezuela displacement situation (Aruba and Curacao, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru).
The deadline for submission of a concept note is Sunday 23 January 2022.
Find out more about the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility and download the call for proposals.
About DG INTPA, European Commission:
The Directorate-General for International Partnerships is responsible for formulating the EUâs international partnership and development policy, with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the world. Read more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/international-partnerships_en
About UNOPS:
UNOPSâ mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to provide peace and security, humanitarian and development solutions. Read more: www.unops.org
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Press Release
01 November 2021
Southeast Asian Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) to focus on the Regionâs pathways to a low carbon future at COP26
âââETP will bring light to the issues faced in energy transition in SEA to the discussions at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), as it continues to mobilize and coordinate the necessary technical and financial resources to create an enabling environment for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure in the region.
In the first event, held jointly with the OECD today, the partnership will bring together experts from governments, intergovernmental organisations and the private sector to explore opportunities for further leveraging limited domestic and international public funds to mobilise clean energy finance and investment; discuss country progress and consider opportunities to enhance collaboration that catalyses greater investments in emerging economies and highlight international experience and recent developments in supporting clean energy development and mobilising capital for the private sector.
The event will advocate for more targeted application of public funding as well as international climate and development finance to increase the pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in emerging economies. The role of international support and collaboration can help to redouble investor opportunities, de-risk projects and leverage the large amount of private capital needed to achieve clean energy and climate ambitions in emerging economies.
The second event on Thursday will deliver a panel dialogue and discussion session by bringing together governments and international donor community on the challenges and opportunities to a low carbon energy system in the region; and the key role of international support to help the region achieve the ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions targets. The session will specifically explore the key role of international support in (1) supporting an improved delivery environment to accelerate the energy transition in Southeast Asia, (2) improving coordination between other relevant initiatives in the region, including capital investments and technical assistance, and (3) where possible and appropriate, to promote communication and knowledge sharing among stakeholders in the region on energy transition.
Moreover, it will explore the role of regional development partners aiming to bring leadership in the region together to accelerate the energy transition and tackle the barriers to the clean energy transition in Southeast Asia.
The events will emphasize the role of development partners in unlocking the most imminent energy transition needs to achieve the ambitious climate commitment goals. As with the broader work of ETP, the discussions will facilitate donor efforts to support countries in Southeast Asia transition towards an energy system that simultaneously ensures environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security.
Speaking ahead of the events, Director for SEA ETP, Sirpa Jarvenpaa said: âThe ETP events at COP26 reflect our broader work, of bringing the right technical and financial resources together to create an enabling environment for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure in the region.â
âMeeting clean energy and climate ambitions in emerging economies will require a massive increase in investments, channelling commercial capital to clean energy projects and attracting overseas investors. We are glad to be a part of these discussions, facilitating donors to support countries to unlock the most imminent energy transition needs across the region and achieve ambitious climate commitment goals.â
Notes to the editors:
Speakers at the first event include:
Airlangga Hartarto, Minister, Co-ordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia, National actions to unlock finance for climate action
Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance, Enabling finance and investment in solar energy in emerging economies
Shintya Roesli, Finance and Risk Management Director, PLN
Norbert GoriĂen, Deputy Director General Federal Ministry for the Environment Nature Conservation Building and Nuclear Safety (BMU), âThe climate finance from bilateral and international donors to accelerate low carbon economyâ
Mason Wallick, Director, Southeast Asian Clean Energy Facility, âPrivate sector fundings and BF instruments to support public fundings in the energy transition (Indonesia story)â
Michael Hugman, Director Climate Finance of Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), âRole of philanthropy in energy transition in Southeast Asiaâ
Speakers at the second event include:
Ms. Manelle Ait Sahlia, Deputy Head of Energy Department and the Chair of Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), AFD
DG Dadan Kusdiana, Director General, New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia
USEC William Felix Fuentabella, Undersecretary, Planning, Renewable Energy, Power, Investment, Media Affairs, Department of Energy, the Philippines
Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister HE, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam
Edwin Syahruzad, President Director of PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero)
Lloyd Bautista, Academic Researcher and Lecturer, Ateneo School of Governance
Nhien Ngo, Executive Director of Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition
Simon Rolland, Energy Programme Director, GIZ
Liz Mckeon, Head of Portfolio, Climate Action, IKEA Foundation
Sirpa Jarvenpaa, Fund Director, Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership
Live streams of the events can be found here:
Event 1: Live streamed through this link
Event 2: live streamed through this link
Press contact details:
For media inquiries, and to arrange interviews with authors please contact:
Yuchong Nam, Energy Transition Partnership - yuchongn [@] unops.org About Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership: The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership is a five-year, multi-donor partnership formed by governmental and philanthropic partners to accelerate sustainable energy transition in Southeast Asia in line with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. We combine the best of the public and private sector with the UN to help mobilize and coordinate technical and financial resources to build the foundations for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable resilient infrastructures. With an initial focus on Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, ETP helps countries to transition towards an energy system that simultaneously ensures environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security. UNOPS is the fund manager and host of ETP Secretariat. Read more about ETP here and about UNOPS here.
Yuchong Nam, Energy Transition Partnership - yuchongn [@] unops.org About Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership: The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership is a five-year, multi-donor partnership formed by governmental and philanthropic partners to accelerate sustainable energy transition in Southeast Asia in line with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. We combine the best of the public and private sector with the UN to help mobilize and coordinate technical and financial resources to build the foundations for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable resilient infrastructures. With an initial focus on Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, ETP helps countries to transition towards an energy system that simultaneously ensures environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security. UNOPS is the fund manager and host of ETP Secretariat. Read more about ETP here and about UNOPS here.
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Press Release
09 November 2021
COVID-19 vaccination of vulnerable displaced persons begins in Thailand
On 25 and 26 October, 1,295 displaced persons in Ban Tham Hin Temporary Shelter in Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi, received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, thanks to the effort of Thai Red Cross and its network partners. Administration of second dose is scheduled for November 2021.
The pilot vaccination in Tham Hin camp by the Thai Red Cross is a vivid testimony of Thailandâs firm commitment to the principle of inclusivity without leaving anyone behindâ, stated Giuseppe de Vincentiis, UNHCR representative while welcoming the commencement vaccination of vulnerable displaced persons in Thailand. The vaccination rollout was marked with launching event, presided by Dr. Apichart Chinwanno, Assistant Secretary General for Externals Relations of Thai Red Cross Society with participation of the governor of Ratchaburi, Mr. Ronnapop Luengpairote; Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, representatives from UNHCR, Thai Red Cross Society (TRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
The Tham Hin campaign targets priority populations: individuals with chronic illness, with disabilities, elderly, and women with more than 12 weeks of pregnancy. Volunteers and health professionals jointly conduct vaccination. Htoo Htoo, an IRC volunteer, shared how thrilled he is to be part of this activity made possible thanks to close cooperation between TRC, Ministry of Interior, Ratchaburi province, Suan Pheung Hospital, IRC, and UNHCR. âI am also going to get vaccinated, and I am a bit nervous tooâ, said Htoo Htoo. âStill, I am hopeful vaccination will alleviate the challenges brought by COVID-19 for residents of temporary shelterâ. Although COVID-19 impacts everyone, refugees and asylum-seekers can be particularly vulnerable due to challenges they may face in meeting basic needs, accessing information about COVID-19 and obtaining hygiene items or medical support.
This pilot vaccination programme by the Thai Red Cross further builds on previous pilot projects launched by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA). During September-August, the CRA implemented a pilot vaccination programme which has benefitted 374 urban refugees. CRA has also allocated 20,000 doses for up to 10,000 refugees with already over 4,000 refugees having received first dose of vaccine in Mae La temporary shelter.
UNHCR appreciates the generosity of Thailand in helping the most vulnerable have access to vaccines and continues to endeavour to engage all displaced communities in awareness-raising efforts to the furthest extent possible by integrating COVID-19 risk communication messages into its ongoing outreach activities, ensuring that materials and messages are shared in a culturally appropriate manner way and in relevant languages.
Original press release published on UNHCR Thailand.
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Press Release
21 October 2021
UN supports ban of âe-cigarettesâ in Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand - The United Nations expresses full support for Thailandâs ban of electronic cigarettes, known as e-cigarettes, and urges the Government to take strong measures, as appropriate to the national context, to protect the people in Thailand, especially youth from the harms of tobacco use.
âEvidence suggests that e-cigarettes are harmful to health and are not safe. E-cigarettes put young people at risk of lifelong nicotine addiction and can turn current users into dual users,â according to a letter issued today addressed to H.E. General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand. The use of tobacco products kills approximately 70,000 people in Thailand every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported, costing the economy an estimated 93 billion Thai baht or 0.65 per cent of the GDP.
Renaud Meyer, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim to Thailand, said: âE-cigarettes pose a threat to Thailandâs tobacco control efforts and can reverse gains made over many decades. Especially worrying is the increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents aged 13-15 in recent years from 3.3 per cent in 2015 to 8.1 per cent in 2021.â
Dr. Renu Garg, WHO representative ad interim to Thailand, commended recent efforts in tobacco control but also emphasized: âIt is recommended to further enact comprehensive evidence-based tobacco control measures to reduce nicotine addiction and tobacco use, to fulfill Thailandâs obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.â
Responding to unproven health claims about e-cigarettes, she added: âWHO has never stated that e-cigarettes are 95 per cent less harmful to health than conventional cigarettes.â
An earlier statement by WHO has confirmed the need to promote smoking cessation, citing tried and tested interventions, including brief advice from health professionals, quit lines, mobile text messaging, nicotine replacement therapies and non-nicotine pharmacotherapies.
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Amy Thaweeporn KUMMETHA (kummethat@who.int)
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