Remarks of Resident Coordinator Thailand around the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

On behalf of the UN Thailand, it is my honor to deliver the keynote speech during this important consultation that brings the Government, private sector, and the UN – around the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

The National Action Plan is special for several reasons. It exemplifies the Royal Thai Government’s progressive commitment to business and human rights.

It is groundbreaking as Thailand is the first country in Asia to have such a stand-alone plan.

The National Action Plan is also fundamental, as it is grounded in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and linked to the National Strategy and the SDGs.

And finally, the National Action Plan is inclusive, aimed at not leaving anyone behind.

I would like to focus this keynote speech on two points – the role of the private sector in the attainment of the SDGs as well as ensuring that in those efforts we don’t leave anyone behind by progressing on ethical recruitment and employment practices in Thailand.

To my first point about the crucial role of the private sector to the attainment of the SDGs

Reaching the Goals can only be done with strong global partnerships and cooperation from all sectors. It requires a whole of society approach, particularly from the private sector and much is being done.

Last year, the GCNT and the UN hosted the multi-stakeholder Business Leadership for the SDGs event, where private sector leaders committed to sustainable recovery.

Specifically, business leaders in Thailand pledged to collectively invest approximately US$46.2 billion (THB 1.38 trillion) through projects and initiatives in support of achieving the SDGs by 2030 and committed to embedding the SDGs into the core of their business strategies and activities.

By taking society’s challenges into consideration within its core mandate and playing an active role in building back better, the private sector is sustaining and ‘cost proofing’ the future of their businesses and brands.

This is the reality of today, this is the future. The draft 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan emphasizes a high-value, and sustainable Thailand that prioritizes a development path that is more balanced, resilient, and sustainable, while being environmentally and climate responsive.

The private sector has an important role in realizing Thailand’s vision.

This will call for partnerships premised on the principles of collaboration and shared responsibility which are imperative for sustainable development, with the private sector playing a central role in making the SDGs a reality by generating jobs, and leveraging influence to finding innovative solutions to the development challenges of today.

The UN is here to support both the Government and the private sector through advocacy, support to policy development, through technical advice and capacity building, and by leveraging South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

In partnership, we can all make a positive contribution to the realization of human rights and contribute efforts to strengthening protections of workers’ rights. Today, we have an opportunity to deepen our collaboration and partnership to realize the ethical recruitment and decent work for all workers in Thailand.

To my second point regarding not leaving anyone behind:

Through the National Action Plan, it is exemplary for the Royal Thai Government to consider the needs of all workers employed in lower-skilled jobs. This includes nearly 4 million migrant workers from the CLMV region.

I commend the Royal Thai Government’s commitment to the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. This Global Compact is the first intergovernmental agreement to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

One example of this commitment is the Royal Thai Government’s policy is to cover COVID-19 treatment costs for migrants not entitled to receive national healthcare benefits.

Another example is the extension of stay and work permits during the pandemic for migrant workers who could not return to their respective countries due to travel restrictions.

The draft 13th NESDP calls migrants one the most vulnerable populations and underscores the key role migrants play in the labor force as Thailand is an aging population.

While Thailand has a well-developed social protection system good work continues to address any ‘last mile’ challenges that include the need for integration across systems and bridging gaps in coverage for the most vulnerable groups such as migrants.

Consultations like today, are a great example of multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure that the business and human rights agenda, inclusive of migrant rights, continues to be a key priority as the world enters the new normal.

Let me conclude by thanking our partners from the Government of Thailand, the private sector, and members of the UN family for their dedication to progressing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, while contributing to making this country and the world a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable place.