Global Compact Network Thailand Unites Public-Private Partnership of the Declaration of Commitment to lead the sustainable business through members' sustainable investment of 998 projects worth over THB 1.2 Trillion by 2030

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the ceremony of “GCNT FORUM 2020: Thailand Business Leadership for SDGs” organized by Global Compact Network Thailand in partnership with the United Nations Team in Thailand and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) at United Nations Conference Center. The high-level leaders of GCNT’s members have united to recover Thailand’s economy from COVID-19 and lead Thailand to strengthening and sustainability growth

The prime minister delivered the keynote address entitled “Leadership in Crisis Management: Experiences from COVID-19”. He emphasized the importance of sustainable development, that “Thailand is fortunate to have the Sufficiency Economic Philosophy as guidance in national development aligns with the Sustainable Development. The principles focus on ‘Human Development’ and ‘Human Security’ which building immunity to the economy, social and environmental changes. Today, all sectors need cooperation to ‘Team Thailand’ as we and the world have an obvious goal ahead in achieving the ‘Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)’ by 2030. Even though we have limited time, but I believe in the nation and Thai citizens, if we are uniting, it will lead us to success.  I have appreciated the private sector in building awareness and collaborating to achieve SDGs, particularly, Global Compact Network Thailand, which collective the cooperation from all sectors to drive the nation forward and collaborate with international communities.

Ms Gita Sabharwal, United Nations Resident Coordinator – UNRC in Thailand, said “We are grateful to the Global Compact Network in Thailand for its highest commitment and aspirations towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Today, I offer three areas for reflection. First, forging robust partnerships with a shared responsibility for advancing the SDGs; second, building back better for a greener and more equitable new normal; and third, ensuring no one is left behind as the country moves forward. In the year 2020, we enter a decade of action that calls upon us to take concrete Partnerships, premised on the principles of collaboration and shared responsibility are imperative for sustainable development. We believes  that the private sector  can play a central role in making the SDGs a reality. As business leaders,. The private sector is certainly generating jobs – but it is also leveraging influence to find solutions to the development challenges of today.”

Mr Suphachai Chearavanont, President of the GCNT, said, “Currently,  GCNT encloses members nearly 60 of the leading corporation and continues increasingly. Considering of company value of GCNT’s members reached approximately 4.2 trillion Baht, reflecting GCNT’s potential in steering the economy and fostering changes sustainably both Thailand and other countries where our members are investing in. Especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary-General of UN has called everyone put their efforts in the ‘Decade of Action’, which will be different from what we had done before the outbreak for helping us recover better. Today,  I would like to encourage all corporations to overcome humanity's challenges that we are facing for the survival of people and natural resources, and stepping to achieve the SDGs together.”

Meanwhile, GCNT members has demonstrate their ambitious by declaration of commitment to apply the sustainable development principle into their core business strategy to drive its growth, and recover economy for Thailand and Asia to move forward to sustainable way. The commitment of sustainable investment to achieve SDGs by 2030 through 998 projects worth over 1.2 trillion Baht, for example, Indorama Ventures, Charoen Pokphand Group, PTT Group, Pranda Group, etc.

Mr Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, as a GCNT member, said “The UN SDGs and Sufficiency Economy Principles are one of our key strategies, it is a balance between efficiency and resiliency – to do business with a focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains. IVL has operate our sustainable business through a circular economy concept including recycling to reduce plastic waste and converted it to create value added by recycling. We also set target to recycle 750,000 tons of post-consumer PET by 2025 and are committed to investing US$ 1 billion. Additionally, we hereby pledge that by 2030, we shall collectively invest in Thailand a total of Baht 1 billion, in approximate 45 projects and initiatives that directly support achieving the SDGs and commit to embedding the SDGs into the core of our business strategies and activities. We believe that our collective commitment and joint synergies to drive sustainable growth and economic recovery will propel Thailand towards a more sustainable path – now and for future generations.”

“GCNT FORUM 2020: Thailand Business Leadership for SDGs” held at the United Nations Conference Center align with formal and sustainable event of  Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the United Nations to celebrate of both the 20th anniversary of the UNGC and the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. Participants are from the sustainability leaders, representatives of the UN agencies in Thailand, UN Global Compact, government agencies, the business sector, and civil society organizations together with GCNT, as Thailand’s largest sustainability network. They will also adhere to the UNGC’s 10 Universal Principles, which are divided into four areas: human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption while attempting to achieve the SDGs by 2030.