Thailand Accelerates the Localization of the SDGs

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Interior, UN-Habitat and UNDP Thailand, with contributions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the National Statistical Office (NSO), and ESCAP, the consultation brought together 25 representatives from national ministries, provincial departments, and local municipalities, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The meeting took place in a hybrid format in Bangkok.

"SDG localization is more than a technical exercise—it is a political and transformative process that turns global aspirations into meaningful change for communities on the ground.” said Mr. Srinivasa Popuri, Chief of UN-Habitat Multi-Country Office in Thailand.

Building Bridges Across Governance Levels

Participants engaged in focused breakout sessions addressing data, capacity, and stakeholder engagement, providing detailed inputs to ensure the framework is practical, adaptable, and responsive to Thailand’s diverse local contexts.

A major challenge raised was the lack of a unified and standardized central data system, which hinders data sharing between local and central levels. Local governments often collect data for national use but are unable to access the raw data themselves—limiting local-level planning and resulting in duplication of efforts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the need for standardized, neutral, and comparable data and called for stronger interlinkages and follow-ups on localized efforts cited in the Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the provincial and local levels.

Looking Ahead

The consultation affirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that the finalized VLR Framework is:

• Inclusive of local voices and capacities;
• Practical for real-world implementation across diverse contexts;
• Adaptable to local governance structures and legal frameworks;
• Built on joint target-setting and cross-level coordination.

This participatory milestone brings Thailand one step closer to realizing the localization of the SDGs, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven development.