BANGKOK, Thailand (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Mahidol University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reaffirming their commitment to collaboration, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building in the pursuit of universal health and social protection in the region at the end of the workshop “Achieving Social Justice through Inclusive Social Health Protection”, held to mark World Day of Social Justice 2025

By leveraging Mahidol University’s academic expertise and the ILO’s policy leadership, this partnership will play a pivotal role in addressing social protection gaps and promoting sustainable health financing solutions. The MoU outlines key areas of collaboration, including the ongoing support to CONNECT, a regional network for Social Health Protection and the further development of the Master of Primary Health Care Management (MPHM) course with a special track on social health protection. 

The MoU facilitates South-South and Triangular Cooperation, encouraging knowledge-sharing and mutual learning among countries in the region, through the CONNECT network. Mahidol University and the ILO support the platform, through joint research projects, training programmes and policy dialogues, hence providing a space for countries to exchange best practices and innovative strategies for enhancing social protection systems. “Today, we are privileged to reaffirm our partnership with Mahidol University, a collaboration that exemplifies the power of academic partnerships in driving progress,” said Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “This partnership underscores the importance of academic collaboration and long-term training to develop new generations of leaders in social health protection, who will promote international principles for inclusive social health protection systems.” 
 
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the ILO and Mahidol University marks a pivotal moment in our partnership. It formalizes our shared commitment to enhancing capacity-building, research, and the exchange of knowledge for social health protection. This partnership is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together across sectors and disciplines,” said Prof Piyamitr Sritara, MD, FRCP, President of Mahidol University. The ASEAN Institute for Health Development (AIHD) at Mahidol University will serve as a key hub for the implementation of the MoU’s objectives. AIHD’s extensive expertise in global health and its interdisciplinary approach will facilitate collaboration among universities, governments, and organizations at national, regional and global levels.
 
CONNECT is a pioneering multi-stakeholder network of public institutions and non-for profit organizations in the Asia Pacific region, working together to bridge the gaps in social health protection. It was established in 2019 by the ILO, Mahidol University, and other partners including Thailand Health Insurance System Research Office, Viet Nam Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Korea Institute for Health And Social Affairs and Seoul National University. 

The Master of Primary Health Care Management (MPHM) was launched in 2020 by AIHD with the support of ILO. It is an innovative 1-year Master’s Degree designed to enhance the capacity of social health protection practitioners in the region. To date 21 students from 7 countries have benefited from fellowship to the Master’s degree.   

On the International Day of Education, which was celebrated on Jan 24, we reflect on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. This year's focus on AI comes at a critical time, as the world grapples with a learning crisis.Even before Covid-19, 128 million young people in the Asia-Pacific were out of school, with millions more at risk of dropping out. Many of those in education are also at risk of being left behind: half of learners in the Asia-Pacific do not achieve basic literacy and numeracy by the end of primary school.We need to offer quality education that corresponds to the needs of future societies, including equipping future workers with green skills. In Thailand, students like Yuparat from Chiang Mai and Atichat from Sakon Nakhon envision schools that embrace technology, coding and AI. Their vision highlights the necessity for education systems to keep pace with the digital revolution. "My dream school should encourage the development of coding and AI skills through hands-on practice," said Yuparat, 15. Yuparat, a wheelchair user, also stressed the need for "personalised learning and flexible classrooms", in her interview with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)."Technology is a very important part of our lives now. I think we can use it to make things better in the future," adds Atichat Butchan, also 15. He is one of the youngest members of the UN Children Fund's (Unicef) Young People Advisory Board, which provides guidance as the organisation works with partners, including the Thai government, on education reform.The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has said AI development should benefit everyone. The Global Digital Compact, which world leaders adopted as part of the Pact of the Future last September offers a roadmap to harness AI's potential and close digital divides, with the UN committed to leading this effort. In Thailand, we are collaborating with the government to ensure digital technologies benefit all students, especially those in underserved areas. This collaboration is crucial for ensuring AI serves as a tool for inclusion, not exclusion.AI has the potential to address educational gaps by personalising learning, improving teaching efficiency and expanding access to quality education. However, this potential must be balanced with the risks, including widening the digital divide. While over 97% of schools in Thailand have internet access, there are large disparities in computer access between urban and rural schools, and only 16% of households have a computer at home. Furthermore, many students lack meaningful computer skills and more than half of 16 to 19-year-olds do not use computers to create presentations. These disparities can turn technology into a barrier rather than a facilitator of learning.Teachers are at the forefront of this digital transformation. As Tanawat Suwannapan, a history teacher in Bangkok, explains, the quality of student assignments often indicates whether a student has computer access at home, and many students lack the foundational skills to effectively use AI or search engines."Most students who use ChatGPT to complete the assignment don't understand the answers they get," says Mr Suwannapan. Many struggle to use search engines effectively, copying the first response they find, he adds: "If they cannot even select a keyword for Google, how can they write a clear prompt or verify the accuracy of a ChatGPT response?"Teachers also highlight the importance of being able to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies."Being a teacher means you have to develop yourself at all times and this includes learning digital skills," said Nurhayatee Deraoke, a teacher at Ban Than Mali School in Yala Province. However, she pointed out the challenges teachers in more remote locations face: "Our school is in a mountainous region, so Internet access is unreliable".To support teachers, Unesco's AI Competency Framework provides a roadmap, emphasising a human-centred mindset, AI ethics, foundational knowledge and problem-solving through AI. Unicef's One Teacher Thailand project has assisted over 500,000 teachers in updating their technical knowledge.The government has taken commendable steps like the "Coding for All" initiative and a National AI Strategy. To bolster these efforts, the UN advocates for investments in AI-powered learning, teacher training, digital infrastructure and data privacy, along with measures to strengthen foundational learning.Public-private partnerships will be important in expanding access to AI tools and resources. Last December, Thailand launched Unesco's Readiness Assessment Methodology, which is a diagnostic tool to assess where countries stand with regards to AI infrastructure, governance, investments, social policy and public institutions.Thailand is set to host Asia's first Unesco Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in June. This event underscores the need for collaboration among policymakers, educators and the private sector to ensure AI is ethically developed and applied. The UN also supports Thailand's digital transition. By prioritising inclusivity, equity and fairness, we can create an education system that enables every child to thrive.This is not just about technology; it's about ensuring equity and inclusion and preparing a generation to navigate a complex, AI-driven world. We must heed the visions of students like Yuparat and Atichat and ensure every child and all learners are equipped to succeed in the digital age.Michaela Friberg-Storey serves as the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, representing the UN Secretary-General in the country. Marina Patrier is Deputy Director at the Unesco Regional Office in Bangkok. Kyungsun Kim is Unicef's Representative for Thailand.

Born out of the ashes of the Second World War, the organization was the result of a global commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”The founding of the UN also signaled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law and the UN Charter.   Eight decades later, one can draw a direct line between the creation of the United Nations and the prevention of a third world war.Today, the United Nations remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, prosperity and human rights.The UN works tirelessly to support countries as they tackle poverty, hunger and disease, while also supporting people in need during times of conflict and disaster.   The organization has advanced justice and fairness through international law and respect for human rights, while also pushing for peace through dialogue, debate, diplomacy and consensus-building.Multilateral cooperation is the beating heart of the United Nations, but multilateralism is only as strong as each and every country’s commitment to it.And because we believe in the singular value and purpose of the United Nations, we always strive to improve the institution and the way we work.Amid the profound challenges facing our world today, global solidarity and solutions are needed more than ever.   Adapted from the remarks of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the Security Council on 18 February 2025. 

The United Nations in Thailand has joined the Global Compact Country Network in Thailand (GCNT) in convening 141 private sector companies and partners at the GCNT Forum 2024 in Bangkok, as they reaffirmed their collective commitment to unlock growth and positive social impact through sustainable business. The forum urged for greater integration of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into sustainable supply chains, to accelerate progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In his keynote remarks, H.E. Pichai Naripthaphan, the Minister of Commerce, noted the importance of inclusive business as a catalyst for change and an equitable society. “The current economic trend in Thailand is progressing well. The government is continuously attracting investment in emerging industries. For example, we must accelerate efforts to position Thailand as a hub for Data Centers and AI, which represent the direction of the future global economy. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Commerce is striving to promote a new generation of SMEs with a focus on inclusive business practices. The government will support sustainability in the economy and trade to ensure that businesses contribute to both societal and environmental growth simultaneously. With the world changing rapidly, we must keep pace with market demands by leveraging our strengths and pushing Thailand's soft power to aid in product marketing. Thai people are highly capable and talented, and all sectors must join forces to ensure success.”He went on to outline key government policies, including: “1) reducing costs, increasing income, expanding opportunities, managing the cost of living, alleviating the financial burdens of citizens, and creating career opportunities by expanding trade channels, both online and offline, to allow SMEs greater access to domestic and international markets; 2) managing the balance between consumers, farmers, and entrepreneurs; 3) promoting policies to stimulate the local economy; and 4) encouraging entrepreneurs to tap into environmentally conscious markets that prioritize sustainability.”The Minister added that: “inclusive business is a critical solution for building a sustainable and equitable society. It lays the foundation for driving sustainable development in the future through collaboration across all sectors.”   Mr. Suphachai Chearavanont, President of Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) and CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group, delivered a report titled "Forward Faster to 2030 for Inclusive Business." He highlighted the progress made by members in various dimensions, particularly the announcement of sustainability policies and their tangible implementation. This includes continuous risk prevention measures, regular disclosure of operational outcomes, and sustainability training for employees.Mr. Suphachai noted that members are making efforts to reduce environmental impacts by incorporating clean energy into their operations, producing energy-efficient goods and services, and investing in various sustainability projects. However, he stressed the urgent need for members to take action to scale their sustainability efforts to include business partners and supply chains. This requires setting clear goals, systematically collecting data, and reporting outcomes regularly, ultimately fostering a culture of responsible business competition.Mr. Suphachai also addressed the "3Ds," which represent key global sustainability challenges and  are drivers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. These include: Deglobalization, Decarbonization – Reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, an area where many countries are still lagging, and Digitalization.To address these challenges, the UN Global Compact identified five key goals where the private sector can drive meaningful change, forming the basis of the "Forward Faster" initiative: (1) Achieving gender equality, (2) Reducing the impacts of climate change, (3) Setting fair living wages, (4) Revitalizing water resources and Building water resilience, (5) Financing and investing in SDGs.Mr. Suphachai proposed that Thailand should focus on four new fundamental factors to accelerate sustainable development goals, namely: 1) promoting equal access to quality education - beyond improving teaching standards, businesses should be transformed into learning centers that integrate both professional knowledge and sustainability awareness; 2) expanding access to digital technology - support students, entrepreneurs, startups, and farmers in accessing online data repositories while also developing accessible and creative digital media; 3) increasing access to innovative financial services - leverage fintech and virtual banking to reduce financial inequality, especially for grassroots economies, SMEs, and vulnerable groups; and 4) developing basic insurance systems - Introduce agricultural insurance to turn climate crisis challenges into business opportunities, benefiting both financial institutions and farmers.“We must act proactively and race against time to ‘shift’ inequality into equity, ensure universal access to the four new fundamental factors, ‘transform’ businesses into future-ready enterprises, and ‘reshape’ the current world into a sustainable one,” Mr. Suphachai concluded. Commending GCNT members for their commitment towards the SDGs, Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand, said “the path to a more equitable future requires collaboration among the private sector, government, civil society, and international organizations to drive holistic societal change.”“This effort must also prioritize innovation,” she said, outlining 3 key aspects linked to inclusive business practices: 1) achieving a just transition that leaves no one behind; 2) harnessing technology and innovation for equity; and 3) unlocking sustainable financing for transformation.The UN Resident Coordinator noted that in Thailand, the government has played a fundamental role in establishing regulatory frameworks and implementing investment-stimulating policies. In parallel to this, the private sector has contributed up to 90% of GDP and 90% of jobs in-country, with 75% of all investments in the past year coming from private sources. In addition, SMEs have accounted for 99.6% of all domestic businesses, highlighting the important role the private sector plays in leading the green transition and addressing demands for a greener workforce.   During the event, the concept of inclusive business landscape became the centrepiece of panel discussions. Prominent speakers contributed ideas on accelerating human capital development, as well as on business models for agri-food systems transformations and their linkages to social and economic benefits. This year’s GCNT Forum brought together more than 400 participants, including UN agencies in Thailand, GCNT member organizations, and sustainability partners. Participants included leading private sector companies, including Charoen Pokphand Group, IRPC Public Company Limited, NR Instant Produce Public Company Limited, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, CP All Public Company Limited, Kasikornbank Public Company Limited, SCBX Public Company Limited, Berli Jucker Public Company Limited, PTT Public Company Limited, True Corporation Public Company Limited, United Overseas Bank (UOB) Public Company Limited, L’Oréal (Thailand) Limited, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The forum also welcomed 8 youth organizations and representatives of 9 academic institutions who are part of the ‘SDGs Young Creator’ initiative.