Remarks of the Resident Coordinator in Thailand for the MOU signing ceremony between UNDP and the Parliament of Thailand

It is my pleasure to join you today for this memorable occasion, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariat of the House of Representatives and UNDP.

Today’s signing ceremony institutionalizes an important partnership between the Parliament of Thailand and the UN,

This partnership creates an avenue for the parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members to play a significant role in the advancing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Thailand. Your leadership will also be critical in raising awareness of SDGs across the country, while inspiring wide-ranging partnerships to innovatively take forward the concept of sustainability and apply it to everyday life and business.

The SDGs are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, with a vision of ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

This is critical today more so than ever as we recover from the pandemic. All evidence suggests that the pandemic will impact the SDGs, but it doesn’t have to, as long as there is effective reprioritisation, and private investments are strategically maximised.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres set out UN’s approach through his Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity plan emphasising the imperative for a comprehensive whole-of-society and whole-of-government response.

I would like to congratulate you, Secretary General, for your forward thinking approach and entering into this partnership with UNDP which creates a solid platform for the Parliament to engage on the SDGs.

Congratulations also to UNDP for developing the Handbook on the “Parliament’s Role in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals” which is a cornerstone of this programme.

I would like to end by commending you one again on your leadership and commitment in maximizing the contributions of the Parliament, in a whole-of-government approach to advancing the SDGs.