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Video
26 July 2024
UN Secretary-General's video message to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, 26 July 2024
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Speech
26 July 2024
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games â UN Secretary-General's Message (26 July 2024)
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Story
11 July 2024
How marine sanctuaries are helping to save an iconic Thai crab
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Thailand
The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Thailand is dedicated to advancing all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while emphasizing the importance of SDG localization, which brings the global agenda to the local level for effective impact. Amongst others, some highlights of our efforts encompass promoting integrated social protection for all (SDG 1.3), combatting non-communicable diseases (SDG 3.4), ensuring inclusive education, including migrant children (SDG 4.1), and advocating for women's participation in politics (SDG 5.5). We empower small to medium-sized enterprises and youth innovation, with a focus on business and human rights as well as digital transformation (SDG 8.3). Inclusive growth extends to marginalized groups, including the LGBTI community (SDG 10.2), while migration governance promotes safe, regular, and orderly migration (SDG 10.7). Our endeavors encompass implementing climate change strategies (SDG 13.2), solid waste management (SDG 11.6), and greening industry through promoting low carbon transition and finance among SMEs (SDG 7.2). Additionally, we strongly advocate for ensuring access to rights through inclusive citizenship (SDG 16.9), and share Thailand's experiences and best practices (SDG 17.9) through South-South and Triangular Cooperation. Through these collaborative efforts, we embark on a transformative journey to create a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Thailand.
Photo
04 July 2024
Visit to Thale Noi Wetlands Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System
Thale Noi represents a leading example of adaptive management of biological and natural resources as well as co-evolution based on deep environmental knowledge.
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Story
30 November 2023
Preserving heritage
The heart of a community encapsulates its cherished history and aspirations. And in the dynamic community of Samchuk Market in Suphanburi Province, that beating heart is surely Baan Khun Jamnong Jeenarak. Built over a century ago, in 1916, this three-storey timber and concrete house, originally owned by a tax collector and landlord who governed the district, was restored and converted into a community museum in 2004, as part of the broader Samchuk Revitalization Project (1999â2006) initiated by the Chumchonthai Foundation in close consultation with members of the community. Three years after the projectâs completion, its resounding success as a âholisticâ revitalization of a âhistoric commercial hubâ was recognized by UNESCO with an âAward of Meritâ as part of its 2009 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Today, the Khun Jamnong Museum continues to nurture appreciation for local history and contribute meaningfully to the Samchuk Market communityâs sense of pride. In addition, the museum lies at the heart of a new economy based not only upon Samchuk Marketâs continued operationâa feat in itselfâbut now on cultural tourism as well. Upon entering the building, oneâs attention is instantly drawn to an impressive scale model of the old market district. At a glance, the model affords a grasp of the marketâs overall layout, in which over 150 two-storey timber shophouses line both sides of the four principal streets that lead to the Tha Chin Riverâthe watery thoroughfare that was once the very âraison dâĂȘtreâ for this historic commercial settlement.
For pedestrians swept up in the bustling energies of the market, this strategic layout may elude immediate comprehension, as culinary delights (such as roasted duck, rice wrapped in lotus leaf and Thai sponge cake), regional handcrafted mementos and assorted sundries all simultaneously vie for their attention. But in the relative calm of the Khun Jamnong Museum, the microcosmic eloquence of the scale model, taken together with the informative permanent displays, conveys the strong impression that, over the course of its long existence, the communityâs evolution partook of larger social, cultural and economic forces that shaped the entire Samchuk District and beyond.
One could start with the Tha Chin river basin, which has been attracting human inhabitation with its rich fertility since prehistoric times. As is characteristic of the central plains of Thailand, paddy fields have been, and continue to be, a common sight in the region. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area now known officially as Samchuk District has been populated since the Dvaravati period (6thâ11th centuries), and Mahayana Buddhist artefacts dating back to the 13th century have been unearthed at Nern Tang Pra, the districtâs most important religious site.
Samchuk District began to experience significant population growth in the early Rattanakosin era (1782-1851), at that time spurred by the growing trade of rice and charcoal. In an age when waterways were the lifeblood of commerce, Samchuk Market prospered as a trading hub that intermingled people and cultural practices of diverse ethnicities, with Chinese merchants comprising the majority.
In Nirat Suphan, a collection of poetic verses recounting Sunthorn Phuâs (1786â1855) journey to Suphanburi in 1842 (apparently undertaken in a futile search for base metals to be transmuted into gold), the renowned early modern court poet evocatively characterized the moniker âSamchukâ as being virtually synonymous in everyday parlance with numerous docked boats and the busy exchange of everyday goods.
Samchuk Market enjoyed its âgolden ageâ in the early decades of the 20th century. After the Second World War, however, the emergence of more modern markets and evolving modes of transportation that shifted from waterways to concrete highwaysâthe âMalaiman Roadâ, or Highway 321, connecting Suphanburi to Bangkok via Nakhon Pathom especiallyâprecipitated the marketâs gradual decline. In 2006, the Treasury Department, which owns much of the land and properties in Samchuk, drafted plans to modernize the entire market area. This would have entailed the eviction of local residents and the destruction of the traditional shophouses. Catalyzed into action, the community came together and protested. In response to concerted community efforts, the Fine Arts Department designated the market area as a âLocal Historic Districtâ in 2007, lending support to the grassroots-led revitalization of Samchuk Market. The Treasury Department relented, and joining hands with the community, a partnership was undertaken to make something more historic and sustainable of this revitalization than anyone had initially anticipated.
The 2009 citation by UNESCO in its Award of Merit for the âSamchuk Community and Old Market Districtâ underscored that âthe community has been the main driving force for the [conservation] project at all levels, from setting policy to establishing urban design guidelines.â As an example of technical achievement, one need only look back to the Khun Jamnong Museum itself. Here, the projectâs conservation team meticulously documented construction details of what originated at the turn of the twentieth century as a private residence befitting a local official, including the buildingâs intricate ornamental subtleties (such as the silk-screened ceramic floor tiles) and the early application of the reinforced concrete and timber-frame construction method, to ensure that any restoration would honour both the material and aesthetic qualities of the place.
âIn contrast to World Heritage sites, which must satisfy the criteria of outstanding universal value, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation programme aims to recognize bottom-up conservation efforts initiated by the private sector or through public-private partnership,â said Ms Montakarn Suvanatap Kittipaisalsilp, Associate Project Officer for Culture at UNESCO Bangkok. As demonstrated by the Samchuk Community and Old Market District, such efforts not only keep valued heritage meaningful and purposeful in modern contexts, but also augur well for the long-term sustainable development of local communities.
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Publication
17 April 2023
Impact Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Degradation on Children in Thailand
The Impact Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Degradation on Children in Thailand, authored by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) with the support of UNICEF Thailand, highlights that the most vulnerable children to climate change risks, such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods, are those living in the Northeastern and Southern regions of Thailand. The study's risk map reveals that ten provinces, namely Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Surin, Songkhla, Buriram, Khon Kaen, and Surat Thani, are at high risk of climate change impacts between 2016 and 2035, particularly under the RCP4.5 scenario (moderate release of CO2).
To address these concerns, the study recommends implementing child-sensitive policies, including raising children's awareness and knowledge about climate change, promoting the development of climate-resilient school and health infrastructure, and implementing child-centered early warning systems.
Policy brief, technical note, and child-friendly version are also available for download.
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Press Release
08 April 2024
Global efforts needed to combat waste trafficking to Southeast Asia, new research by UNODC and UNEP reveals
Bangkok (Thailand), 2 April 2024 - A first-ever mapping of waste trafficking trends from Europe to Southeast Asia has been published today. Produced by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the new research sheds light on how criminal actors exploit legal trade and regulatory and enforcement loopholes for financial gain. It also explores the negative impact this crime has on the global circular economy.Southeast Asia remains a key destination for illicit waste shipments, the report reveals, with Europe, North America, and Asia identified as primary regions of origin. Common tactics include false declarations, a lack of or incorrect notifications to circumvent regulations and avoid controls, along with missing or inadequate licenses or documents. âIn todayâs globalized world, waste management has become an increasingly pressing concern in which production, consumption habits, waste crime, waste trafficking, corruption, organized crime, money laundering, and the circular economy are intertwined,â said Masood Karimipour, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. âThe crime of waste trafficking is taking away the value that legal, well-regulated waste trade brings to sustainable economies.âData collected from four Southeast Asian countries, three major European Union ports, and international enforcement operations highlight efforts in tackling illegal waste shipments by both origin and destination countries. However, despite regulatory and enforcement measures implemented by countries in which illegal waste ends up â such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam â waste trafficking continues to pose a major challenge in the region. âWaste trafficking is a crime that has a profound impact on the environment, bringing high profits and low risks to perpetrators. If we are to fight this crime, we must change this by closing regulatory gaps, increasing enforcement, and strengthening cooperation at home and abroad,â said Preeyaporn Suwannaked, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand.The report, titled Turning the Tide: A Look Into the European Union-to-Southeast Asia Waste Trafficking Wave, is a flagship within a series of publications that explore corruption, cybercrime, and legal loopholes as causes behind the problem. It is part of a comprehensive project (Unwaste) to address waste trafficking and its impact on the global circular economy.âThe environmental impacts of waste trafficking are contributing to the pollution crisis and need to be addressed. To do this, we must pursue good environmental governance and robust environmental rule of law. Projects such as Unwasteare critical in tackling issues through a multi-sector, multi-disciplinary approach. UNEP is proud to be part of the project, which advances solutions aimed at ensuring a healthy planet and a sustainable future,â said Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Director of the Law Division in UNEP.Key types of waste trafficked include plastic, e-waste, metal, and paper, with mixed materials, textiles, vehicle parts, industrial, and medical waste also frequently encountered. Upon arrival at destination, take-back or repatriation procedures are a major challenge as shipments often cannot be traced to their countries of origin. Abandoned or unclaimed containers at ports exacerbate the issue, further complicating enforcement and investigation efforts. As a result, most waste ends up in illegal landfills, the ocean, or burnt in the open. Often, penalties are disproportionately low compared to the potential environmental and health damage inflicted on destination countries. The research also shows a concerning lack of available data to assess the full scale of waste trafficking and identify the connections between criminal actors involved.The report, which has been financed by the European Union, stresses the urgent need for further regulatory reforms, enhanced international cooperation, capacity development, research, and data along with stricter enforcement measures to combat waste trafficking effectively.Click here to access the report series.
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Publication
08 April 2024
Turning the Tide: A Look Into the European Union-to-Southeast Asia Waste Trafficking Wave
This report, titled Turning the Tide: A Look Into the European Union-to-Southeast Asia Waste Trafficking Wave, is a flagship within a series of publications that explore corruption, cybercrime, and legal loopholes as causes behind the problem. It is part of a comprehensive project (Unwaste) to address waste trafficking and its impact on the global circular economy.Produced by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the new research, which has been financed by the European Union, stresses the urgent need for further regulatory reforms, enhanced international cooperation, capacity development, research, and data along with stricter enforcement measures to combat waste trafficking effectively.Southeast Asia remains a key destination for illicit waste shipments, the report reveals, with Europe, North America, and Asia identified as primary regions of origin. Common tactics include false declarations, a lack of or incorrect notifications to circumvent regulations and avoid controls, along with missing or inadequate licenses or documents.Data collected from four Southeast Asian countries, three major European Union ports, and international enforcement operations highlight efforts in tackling illegal waste shipments by both origin and destination countries. However, despite regulatory and enforcement measures implemented by countries in which illegal waste ends up â such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam â waste trafficking continues to pose a major challenge in the region.Learn why waste trafficking is a growing concern in the publication. Click here to access the report, Web of Waste Investigating the Risk of Waste Crimes in Cyber-Space.
Click here to access the main report, Legal Frameworks to Address Waste Trafficking in the ASEAN region â Review and Gap Analysis.
Click here to access the main report, Cash in the Trash The Role of Corruption, Organized Crime and Money Laundering in Waste Trafficking.
Click here to learn more about the Unwaste project.
Click here to access the main report, Legal Frameworks to Address Waste Trafficking in the ASEAN region â Review and Gap Analysis.
Click here to access the main report, Cash in the Trash The Role of Corruption, Organized Crime and Money Laundering in Waste Trafficking.
Click here to learn more about the Unwaste project.
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Story
11 July 2024
How marine sanctuaries are helping to save an iconic Thai crab
Floating through the crystal-clear waters off the east coast of Thailand, fisher Sutham Hemmanee spots a large female crab amidst the morningâs haul, its underside swollen with the promise of offspring. âA female crab like this can produce millions of babies,â the 57-year-old says, pointing to the bulging yellow pouches attached to the crabâs stomach. âWe put these egg-carrying females in the crab bank.â Traditionally, such blue swimming crabs would have been sold for profit. But after Hemmanee noticed the once-plentiful crab populations of Ban Don Bay begin to dwindle a decade ago, he turned his attention to conservation. Together with his fellow fishers he started separating the mothers-to-be in their catch and protecting them in tanks on shore, providing the eggs a safe space to hatch before being released back into the wild. The crab bank was born. Despite the promise shown by his initiative, the perilous nature of the sea for baby crabs meant many died on the hazardous journey into adulthood.To improve their chances of survival, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) collaborated with local fishing communities and researchers to create safe havens where crabs, and other marine species, can breed and hatch their offspring. The areas, formally known as fisheries refugia, are part of a larger network of UNEP-supported marine sanctuaries spread across six southeast Asian countries.A key industryThe blue swimming crab provides around 80 per cent of income for local communities in Ban Don Bay, which sits in the Gulf of Thailand. The bayâs 2019 harvest was valued at almost US$10 million, the third highest in the country. The shallow waters of Ban Don are rich in sediment deposited from nearby waterways, making it an ideal nursery and feeding ground for the crab and other marine life, including the elusive dugong, which grazes on its bed of seagrass. The meeting point between the Pacific and Indian oceans, the Gulf of Thailand and nearby South China Sea are global hotspots of marine biodiversity, hosting nearly all giant clam species, every coral type and one-third of all seagrass varieties.
These waters also sustain vital fisheries, crucial for the food security of the 270 million people residing along their coasts and contributing US$3.7 billion to the region's gross domestic product annually. However, mounting population pressures have driven fishers to employ drastic methods to sustain catches. Some use explosives and poisons, while others drag heavy nets along the seafloor, wreaking havoc on fragile seabeds essential for feeding and sheltering sea life. This degradation of coastal habitats harms marine biodiversity and erodes the economic and social fabric of coastal communities, putting their long-term future in doubt. Balancing conservation needs with those of local communities is an aim of The Biodiversity Plan, a global framework to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. Among its four goals and 23 targets are Target 2 to restore 30 per cent of all degraded ecosystems and Target 10 to ensure sustainable management of areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry. The ongoing efforts in Ban Don Bay showcase how local communities can bring the goals of this global framework to life and inspire wider adoption. âThe blue swimming crab is key to our livelihoods,â says Hemmanee. âSince my grandfather's generation, we have been crab fishers. I worry about what the next generation will have left if we don't change our ways.âInvesting in the future Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Thai Ministry of Environment and Fisheries, with support from UNEP, collaborated with local governments, the private sector, and coastal communities to address deteriorating marine habitats. Their goal was to restore the ecological balance while ensuring the well-being of coastal communities. Building on the groundwork laid by local fisher groups and their crab banks, a team established a sprawling 900-acre marine safe-haven in Ban Don Bay. Destructive fishing practices, such as the use of small-holed nets, have been phased out and fishers have agreed to reduce activity during critical spawning periods. Fishers operating nearby have pledged to release any baby crustaceans caught at sea or bring them to a local crab bank for protection. Research conducted by Viya Crab Processing, a local canning company, revealed that keeping juvenile crabs in a nursery for 25-30 days increases their survival rates by as much as 95 per cent. âWe release about 100,000 crabs back into the sea each month,â says Somsak Makhathan, the manager of the local crab bank. The local crab population has increased by about 60 per cent, he says. The UNEP-led initiative is part of the broader Global Environment Facility-funded Fisheries Refugia Initiative. The project is designed to enhance fisheries management and preserve critical marine habitats across the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The first step of the project in Thailand, says Praulai Nootmorn, marine fisheries expert at the Thai Department of Fisheries, was to shift perceptions and get everyone on the same page. âWe had to get the stakeholders to realize the economic risk if crab populations were not restored,â says Nootmorn. âNow that they realize their business model is at risk, the private sector is rallying behind conservation activities and supporting local fishers to fish sustainably.â Replicating success The success of the refugia approach lies in its focus on sustainable use rather than strict no-fishing rules. Unlike traditional marine protected areas, which often alienate fishing communities who view their primary purpose as biodiversity protection, the refugia approach encourages fishers to become the protectors of the species they depend on. These sanctuaries for marine life are being replicated across the South China Sea. UNEP Fisheries Refugia Initiative partners have established a network of sites that link up over 1.3 million hectares across six countries, an area more than 10 times the size of New York, safeguarding critical habitats for several species, including black tiger prawn, siganids, mackerel, blood cockle, the juvenile grouper, spiny lobster and redbelly yellowtail fusilier. The project is a joint effort between the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre and governmental agencies from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. The collaboration between fisheries and environment ministries is often limited in Southeast Asia and beyond, with conservation and economy seen as separate, competing issues, according to LeticiaâŻCarvalho, Head of the Marine and Freshwater branch atâŻUNEP. âThe fisheries refugia approach offers a chance to bridge this gap,â says Carvalho. âBy empowering local communities to conserve the environment, it also ensures they can use it more efficiently, and reap its rewards for generations to come.â Across the region, policy reforms are already underway, with the six countries embracing the refugia model as a foundation of marine management and integrating it into legislation. âThe lessons learned from the South China Sea region will serve as a model for other areas facing similar challenges, paving the way for more holistic approaches to fisheries and habitat conservation worldwide,â says Carvalho. For Hemmanee and his fellow fishers, the stakes are clear. âIf we donât work together,â he warns, âthe crabs will become nothing more than a legend.â The planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature: 1 million species are at risk of extinction, soils are turning infertile, and water sources are drying up. The Biodiversity Plan, formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to reverse this trend by 2030. UNEP is supporting countries to achieve The Biodiversity Planâs goals and targets through restoring natureâs contributions to people, integrating biodiversity into policies, promoting sustainable use and preventing financial practices that harm the environment.Original article published on UNEP
These waters also sustain vital fisheries, crucial for the food security of the 270 million people residing along their coasts and contributing US$3.7 billion to the region's gross domestic product annually. However, mounting population pressures have driven fishers to employ drastic methods to sustain catches. Some use explosives and poisons, while others drag heavy nets along the seafloor, wreaking havoc on fragile seabeds essential for feeding and sheltering sea life. This degradation of coastal habitats harms marine biodiversity and erodes the economic and social fabric of coastal communities, putting their long-term future in doubt. Balancing conservation needs with those of local communities is an aim of The Biodiversity Plan, a global framework to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. Among its four goals and 23 targets are Target 2 to restore 30 per cent of all degraded ecosystems and Target 10 to ensure sustainable management of areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry. The ongoing efforts in Ban Don Bay showcase how local communities can bring the goals of this global framework to life and inspire wider adoption. âThe blue swimming crab is key to our livelihoods,â says Hemmanee. âSince my grandfather's generation, we have been crab fishers. I worry about what the next generation will have left if we don't change our ways.âInvesting in the future Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Thai Ministry of Environment and Fisheries, with support from UNEP, collaborated with local governments, the private sector, and coastal communities to address deteriorating marine habitats. Their goal was to restore the ecological balance while ensuring the well-being of coastal communities. Building on the groundwork laid by local fisher groups and their crab banks, a team established a sprawling 900-acre marine safe-haven in Ban Don Bay. Destructive fishing practices, such as the use of small-holed nets, have been phased out and fishers have agreed to reduce activity during critical spawning periods. Fishers operating nearby have pledged to release any baby crustaceans caught at sea or bring them to a local crab bank for protection. Research conducted by Viya Crab Processing, a local canning company, revealed that keeping juvenile crabs in a nursery for 25-30 days increases their survival rates by as much as 95 per cent. âWe release about 100,000 crabs back into the sea each month,â says Somsak Makhathan, the manager of the local crab bank. The local crab population has increased by about 60 per cent, he says. The UNEP-led initiative is part of the broader Global Environment Facility-funded Fisheries Refugia Initiative. The project is designed to enhance fisheries management and preserve critical marine habitats across the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The first step of the project in Thailand, says Praulai Nootmorn, marine fisheries expert at the Thai Department of Fisheries, was to shift perceptions and get everyone on the same page. âWe had to get the stakeholders to realize the economic risk if crab populations were not restored,â says Nootmorn. âNow that they realize their business model is at risk, the private sector is rallying behind conservation activities and supporting local fishers to fish sustainably.â Replicating success The success of the refugia approach lies in its focus on sustainable use rather than strict no-fishing rules. Unlike traditional marine protected areas, which often alienate fishing communities who view their primary purpose as biodiversity protection, the refugia approach encourages fishers to become the protectors of the species they depend on. These sanctuaries for marine life are being replicated across the South China Sea. UNEP Fisheries Refugia Initiative partners have established a network of sites that link up over 1.3 million hectares across six countries, an area more than 10 times the size of New York, safeguarding critical habitats for several species, including black tiger prawn, siganids, mackerel, blood cockle, the juvenile grouper, spiny lobster and redbelly yellowtail fusilier. The project is a joint effort between the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre and governmental agencies from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. The collaboration between fisheries and environment ministries is often limited in Southeast Asia and beyond, with conservation and economy seen as separate, competing issues, according to LeticiaâŻCarvalho, Head of the Marine and Freshwater branch atâŻUNEP. âThe fisheries refugia approach offers a chance to bridge this gap,â says Carvalho. âBy empowering local communities to conserve the environment, it also ensures they can use it more efficiently, and reap its rewards for generations to come.â Across the region, policy reforms are already underway, with the six countries embracing the refugia model as a foundation of marine management and integrating it into legislation. âThe lessons learned from the South China Sea region will serve as a model for other areas facing similar challenges, paving the way for more holistic approaches to fisheries and habitat conservation worldwide,â says Carvalho. For Hemmanee and his fellow fishers, the stakes are clear. âIf we donât work together,â he warns, âthe crabs will become nothing more than a legend.â The planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature: 1 million species are at risk of extinction, soils are turning infertile, and water sources are drying up. The Biodiversity Plan, formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to reverse this trend by 2030. UNEP is supporting countries to achieve The Biodiversity Planâs goals and targets through restoring natureâs contributions to people, integrating biodiversity into policies, promoting sustainable use and preventing financial practices that harm the environment.Original article published on UNEP
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Story
01 July 2024
UNESCO and partners provide emergency support for migrant children on the Thai-Myanmar border
It's a computer class, at first seeming commonplace. At the front of the room, a teacher is projecting a screen across which various sentences in English are being typed into a word processor. Students are learning how to use a computer as they type sentences indicating their name, age, and local residence. The exercise seems hardly extraordinary in our increasingly digititalized age. But there is something notable: each laptop is being shared by three or four learners, as though the instrument were an otherwordly commodity. We are at a migrant learning centre (MLC) in Thailandâs Tak Province, on the border with Myanmar. Many of these migrant learners had never encountered such a digital wonder prior to this sitting.Not unlike this MLC in Phop Phra District, 62 others, spread across five contiguous border districts of Tak Provinceâroughly 426 kilometres north of Bangkokâbetray similar conditions, while more children are seeking refuge almost daily in Thailand-based MLCs (many run by NGOs and others) amid Myanmarâs ongoing conflict. The 63 MLCs dotting the region, including 20 that boast spartan dormitories, are seeing the enrolment of migrant learners climbing upwards to 14,400 youngsters. More than half of the number arriving are vulnerable children of pre-primary and primary school age.
And there seems no end to it. Indeed, one recent surge of migrant children crossing the border represented a 40 per cent rise from those of the previous school year. For some of the luckier migrants, their parents might be working in a local Thai community; for others, parents and siblings remain in Myanmar, despite ongoing conflicts.In response to these concerning circumstances, the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) and the Thai Ministry of Educationâs Tak Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, have been implementing the 'Care and Recovery for Migrant Children' initiative â an âEducation in Emergencyâ project aimed at supporting migrant learners and recovering their learning lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as due to their subsequent absence from school during their arduous journey to a foreign country. The overall project, implemented since 2023 under a humanitarian, development, and peace nexus, has been made possible thanks to generous support from the Government of Japan. As for the projectâs digital learning component, UNESCO Bangkok has provided information and technology (IT) equipment, including projectors and laptops, and ensured internet access to the MLCs while also compiling digital education assets on open-access platforms, all aiming to support teachers and students both now and in the future. In collaboration with the Inclusive Education Foundation, videos and digital learning materials have been especially developed to support learning recovery from school closures, and to further enrich the ongoing learning development of these children. New video lessons in Myanmar, English and Thai are hosted on UNESCO Bangkokâs LearnBig website and Facebook platforms. This digital education component not only brings benefits to migrant children in Thailand; in addition, it extends cross-border advantages to those remaining in Myanmar, many urgently requiring learning support equal to that being provided children on the Thai side of the border. Perhaps not surprisingly, 60 per cent of those accessing the LearnBig platform were recently doing so from within Myanmar itself only months ago.
Recently commenting on the arrival of urgently needed IT equipment, an MLC principal noted, Students learn better when they see and hear. We have also received laptops, which are very helpful...Most of the students and teachers are not computer literate; so, during the upcoming semester break, I will run trainings for teachers on how to use computers in classrooms, and next semester I will include computer classes for the students themselves.As for the nutritional component of the project, food and related sundries have been delivered to the 20 MLCs with lodging facilities, an operation that provides nutritious meals for some 7,000 children daily. Prior to the project, MLCs could manage to feed children only a frugal breakfast and dinner, thus leaving many to study without nutritious lunches. As a result, hunger often hindered studentâs learning progress. In a recent site survey, MLC principals and teachers reported to UNESCO that the projectâs provision of meals has improved the studentâs attendance rates, academic performance, and overall physical and mental health. Students have also exhibited more interest in their studies due to the introduction of the IT accessories.
Lending testament to how the project can change young lives in ways both concrete and morally encouraging, one principal of an MLC recently remarked,In the past when I woke up, I was always worried if we would have enough to feed the children. I never expected a remote MLC like mine would receive this kind of assistance. Now I no longer have to worry, and I am thankful for the support. I will keep taking care of the children until my very last breath.The project focuses on delivering urgent assistance to migrant students unable to return to Myanmar due to the ongoing conflicts, and thus remaining in MLC dormitories. For these students, their learning should continue with minimal interruption, even as MLC material infrastructure is upgraded, such as with the renovation of kitchens, bathrooms, classrooms, and the dormitories themselves.Rika Yorozu, Education Programme Specialist, at UNESCO Bangkok, remarked of the ongoing project,Providing the migrant children with emergency support ensures that they can continue their education in a safe environment, and together with other children. It is important that they can catch up on months and years of disruptions they faced in accessing school due to the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the pandemic. UNESCO highly values the efforts that principals and teachers of MLCs are making for the children, as well as the efforts being made by the Thai Government. We are also thankful to the Government of Japan for this very special and critical support.#RecoveryforMigrantChildren #LifelongLearning #EquitableEducation
And there seems no end to it. Indeed, one recent surge of migrant children crossing the border represented a 40 per cent rise from those of the previous school year. For some of the luckier migrants, their parents might be working in a local Thai community; for others, parents and siblings remain in Myanmar, despite ongoing conflicts.In response to these concerning circumstances, the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) and the Thai Ministry of Educationâs Tak Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, have been implementing the 'Care and Recovery for Migrant Children' initiative â an âEducation in Emergencyâ project aimed at supporting migrant learners and recovering their learning lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as due to their subsequent absence from school during their arduous journey to a foreign country. The overall project, implemented since 2023 under a humanitarian, development, and peace nexus, has been made possible thanks to generous support from the Government of Japan. As for the projectâs digital learning component, UNESCO Bangkok has provided information and technology (IT) equipment, including projectors and laptops, and ensured internet access to the MLCs while also compiling digital education assets on open-access platforms, all aiming to support teachers and students both now and in the future. In collaboration with the Inclusive Education Foundation, videos and digital learning materials have been especially developed to support learning recovery from school closures, and to further enrich the ongoing learning development of these children. New video lessons in Myanmar, English and Thai are hosted on UNESCO Bangkokâs LearnBig website and Facebook platforms. This digital education component not only brings benefits to migrant children in Thailand; in addition, it extends cross-border advantages to those remaining in Myanmar, many urgently requiring learning support equal to that being provided children on the Thai side of the border. Perhaps not surprisingly, 60 per cent of those accessing the LearnBig platform were recently doing so from within Myanmar itself only months ago.
Recently commenting on the arrival of urgently needed IT equipment, an MLC principal noted, Students learn better when they see and hear. We have also received laptops, which are very helpful...Most of the students and teachers are not computer literate; so, during the upcoming semester break, I will run trainings for teachers on how to use computers in classrooms, and next semester I will include computer classes for the students themselves.As for the nutritional component of the project, food and related sundries have been delivered to the 20 MLCs with lodging facilities, an operation that provides nutritious meals for some 7,000 children daily. Prior to the project, MLCs could manage to feed children only a frugal breakfast and dinner, thus leaving many to study without nutritious lunches. As a result, hunger often hindered studentâs learning progress. In a recent site survey, MLC principals and teachers reported to UNESCO that the projectâs provision of meals has improved the studentâs attendance rates, academic performance, and overall physical and mental health. Students have also exhibited more interest in their studies due to the introduction of the IT accessories.
Lending testament to how the project can change young lives in ways both concrete and morally encouraging, one principal of an MLC recently remarked,In the past when I woke up, I was always worried if we would have enough to feed the children. I never expected a remote MLC like mine would receive this kind of assistance. Now I no longer have to worry, and I am thankful for the support. I will keep taking care of the children until my very last breath.The project focuses on delivering urgent assistance to migrant students unable to return to Myanmar due to the ongoing conflicts, and thus remaining in MLC dormitories. For these students, their learning should continue with minimal interruption, even as MLC material infrastructure is upgraded, such as with the renovation of kitchens, bathrooms, classrooms, and the dormitories themselves.Rika Yorozu, Education Programme Specialist, at UNESCO Bangkok, remarked of the ongoing project,Providing the migrant children with emergency support ensures that they can continue their education in a safe environment, and together with other children. It is important that they can catch up on months and years of disruptions they faced in accessing school due to the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the pandemic. UNESCO highly values the efforts that principals and teachers of MLCs are making for the children, as well as the efforts being made by the Thai Government. We are also thankful to the Government of Japan for this very special and critical support.#RecoveryforMigrantChildren #LifelongLearning #EquitableEducation
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Story
01 July 2024
Parent, technician, farmer, merchant: What more can a teacher be?
On World Refugee Day, marked annually on 20 June, meet some of the multi-talented teachers and principals of migrant learning centres in Thailand along the border with Myanmar, who, with UN support, are doing all they can to keep up with the influx of children seeking sanctuary.
Overcoming challenges beyond the classroom is a daily reality for educators in 63 learning centres in Tak province who currently serve around 14,400 students, up from 11,450 in 2020, according to the Thai Ministry of Educationâs office that supports basic education in five border districts â Mae Sot, Phop Phra, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang and Umphang.Yet, teachers and principals are finding solutions by taking on roles of parents, farmers, merchants and, sometimes, as one-person non-governmental organizations (NGOs), using limited resources to serve a constant influx of children and meet myriad needs, from housing to homework.
The day starts at sunriseThe principal at a migrant learning centre in Phop Phra district, around 450km northwest of Bangkok, cares for around 110 children in kindergarten to sixth grade, including 20 students living in its dormitories.
Her day starts at sunrise and ends well after sunset. She teaches, manages the centreâs finances, collects firewood, prepares food and cooks. She also cares for and comforts scores of children in lieu of their parents, who are working elsewhere in Thailand or in their home country.Her hard work is unpaid. Of the centreâs six teaching staff, all in their 30s, only three receive a small monthly stipend of 3,000 Thai baht (USD$80), a sum less than half of the average labourerâs salary of around $200.Taking on extra jobsThe situation is the same across Tak province. Like many other teachers at learning centres in the area, the unpaid 48-year-old principal of one in Phop Phra district has been earning extra income for her centre.She makes mote si kyaw, a popular Myanmar fried pastry made from rice flour, to sell for a modest profit and also keeps a few goats to sell when the centre is in special need of extra cash.âIâm doing everything I can,â she said. âThis centre is my life.â
Ensuring food security and moreOver in Mae Ramat district, located less than a kilometre from the Myanmar border, a remote migrant learning centre is accessible only via a bumpy path eight kilometres from the main road. It relies on five units of solar panels for limited use for dormitory lighting and pumping groundwater, according to its 29-year-old principal.
He said his staff of five other teachers work hard to serve the needs of its 50 residents, growing their own rice and maintaining pipe and filtration systems for a clean water supply.âAlthough the children are safe here, they are worried about their parents on the Myanmar side,â he said.
âWe can still hear gunshotsâBefore the conflicts in Myanmar, many children followed their parents, who were looking for jobs in Thailand. However, with ongoing conflicts on the immediate horizon, returning âhomeâ is hardly an option.
For them, remaining in school means being protected, said the 38-year-old deputy principal of a centre for about 200 children in Mae Sot district, around 10km from Myanmarâs border.âWe can still hear gunshots when there is fighting, but children feel safe here,â he said. âWe are trying our best to make sure that we can keep the centre open for the children.â
Supporting education and moreHowever, many educators voiced concerns, worrying about meeting expenses to run their centres and whether they can accommodate the expected influx of more newscomers and ensure the childrenâs well-deserved safety.To support efforts under way, Pilat Udomwong, the director of the dedicated Thai Ministry of Educationâs office for Tak province, said its mission is to monitor operating conditions, register migrant teachers and students and support the centres through partnerships.Some projects have already seen results, including one supported by the Japanese Government and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regional office in Bangkok that, since last August, includes upgrading facilities, installing IT equipment for flexible learning programmes and delivering food items to support the 20 centres with basic lodging.This has meant more than 7,000 migrant learners now have three nutritious meals daily.
Growing up to have a better lifeDuring a recent site visit, UNESCO Bangkokâs education programme specialist Rika Yorozu underscored that the right to education is part of the agencyâs mandate.
âWe want to ensure that children are given continued support to continue their learning regardless of nationality,â she said. âTeachers [in the migrant learning centres] are doing tremendous work. They are dedicated and need this support.âWhile assistance is being rolled out, the hard-working teachers are still assuming multiple roles in keeping their centres running. The principal at a centre in Phop Phra summed up a common feeling that echoes across many districts.âI will continue to do these things for the children,â she said. âMy happiness is to see the children smiling, being safe, well-fed and growing up to have a better life.â
Overcoming challenges beyond the classroom is a daily reality for educators in 63 learning centres in Tak province who currently serve around 14,400 students, up from 11,450 in 2020, according to the Thai Ministry of Educationâs office that supports basic education in five border districts â Mae Sot, Phop Phra, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang and Umphang.Yet, teachers and principals are finding solutions by taking on roles of parents, farmers, merchants and, sometimes, as one-person non-governmental organizations (NGOs), using limited resources to serve a constant influx of children and meet myriad needs, from housing to homework.
The day starts at sunriseThe principal at a migrant learning centre in Phop Phra district, around 450km northwest of Bangkok, cares for around 110 children in kindergarten to sixth grade, including 20 students living in its dormitories.
Her day starts at sunrise and ends well after sunset. She teaches, manages the centreâs finances, collects firewood, prepares food and cooks. She also cares for and comforts scores of children in lieu of their parents, who are working elsewhere in Thailand or in their home country.Her hard work is unpaid. Of the centreâs six teaching staff, all in their 30s, only three receive a small monthly stipend of 3,000 Thai baht (USD$80), a sum less than half of the average labourerâs salary of around $200.Taking on extra jobsThe situation is the same across Tak province. Like many other teachers at learning centres in the area, the unpaid 48-year-old principal of one in Phop Phra district has been earning extra income for her centre.She makes mote si kyaw, a popular Myanmar fried pastry made from rice flour, to sell for a modest profit and also keeps a few goats to sell when the centre is in special need of extra cash.âIâm doing everything I can,â she said. âThis centre is my life.â
Ensuring food security and moreOver in Mae Ramat district, located less than a kilometre from the Myanmar border, a remote migrant learning centre is accessible only via a bumpy path eight kilometres from the main road. It relies on five units of solar panels for limited use for dormitory lighting and pumping groundwater, according to its 29-year-old principal.
He said his staff of five other teachers work hard to serve the needs of its 50 residents, growing their own rice and maintaining pipe and filtration systems for a clean water supply.âAlthough the children are safe here, they are worried about their parents on the Myanmar side,â he said.
âWe can still hear gunshotsâBefore the conflicts in Myanmar, many children followed their parents, who were looking for jobs in Thailand. However, with ongoing conflicts on the immediate horizon, returning âhomeâ is hardly an option.
For them, remaining in school means being protected, said the 38-year-old deputy principal of a centre for about 200 children in Mae Sot district, around 10km from Myanmarâs border.âWe can still hear gunshots when there is fighting, but children feel safe here,â he said. âWe are trying our best to make sure that we can keep the centre open for the children.â
Supporting education and moreHowever, many educators voiced concerns, worrying about meeting expenses to run their centres and whether they can accommodate the expected influx of more newscomers and ensure the childrenâs well-deserved safety.To support efforts under way, Pilat Udomwong, the director of the dedicated Thai Ministry of Educationâs office for Tak province, said its mission is to monitor operating conditions, register migrant teachers and students and support the centres through partnerships.Some projects have already seen results, including one supported by the Japanese Government and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regional office in Bangkok that, since last August, includes upgrading facilities, installing IT equipment for flexible learning programmes and delivering food items to support the 20 centres with basic lodging.This has meant more than 7,000 migrant learners now have three nutritious meals daily.
Growing up to have a better lifeDuring a recent site visit, UNESCO Bangkokâs education programme specialist Rika Yorozu underscored that the right to education is part of the agencyâs mandate.
âWe want to ensure that children are given continued support to continue their learning regardless of nationality,â she said. âTeachers [in the migrant learning centres] are doing tremendous work. They are dedicated and need this support.âWhile assistance is being rolled out, the hard-working teachers are still assuming multiple roles in keeping their centres running. The principal at a centre in Phop Phra summed up a common feeling that echoes across many districts.âI will continue to do these things for the children,â she said. âMy happiness is to see the children smiling, being safe, well-fed and growing up to have a better life.â
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Story
27 June 2024
Journalists. Police. Academics. Judicial actors. Who can promote safety of journalists and freedom of expression in Thailand?
It was an afternoon class at Thailandâs prestigious Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, in late March 2024. About 20 students majoring in Communication Arts lined up at the starting point. At the opposite end of the room, a wall was full of papers scribbled with career goals, which the students had written earlier that afternoon and mounted on the wall. Lying on the floor in front of them, piles of paper with various gender-related factors that could obstruct a studentâs chosen career journey lay before them. Following the instructions of the workshop leader, the students had identified, written and categorized these obstacles variously as they might typically apply to men, to women, or to LGBTIQ+ persons.
It was time for the final reckoning, as the students were now instructed toâat the start of a timerâto hurriedly search for their âobstaclesâ in the piles of paper, scramble to the wall, fetch their career goal sheet hanging there, and swiftly return to the starting pointâall within 25 seconds while nearly holding their breath. When the time was up, a majority had completed the challenge successfully; however, some were still on their way back to the starting point, or even worse, on their initial way to the wallâand all of them were women.
As it quickly became clear to all that dayâs workshop participantsâmany will be launching a career in the media industry upon graduationâwomen still face greater challenges than men in pursuing their career goals. One key challenge is the widespread prevalence of gender stereotypes, such as the assumption that women are not to be taken as seriously as men, or that they are comparatively too emotional to work in a hard-nosed newsroomâor even that they are simply unfit for certain jobs. âExecutives of television stations [have often] said that women were not strong enough to hold a television camera, and they are not the best fit in this technology-driven industryâ, said Dr Chanettee Tinnam, a lecturer in the Faculty of Communication Arts, as she displayed the percentage of women in journalism careers in Thailand and shared the findings of her study, of 2015, with regional television stations. Dr Tinnam, who commonly researches and runs gender-sensitive journalism workshops, went on to reveal even more shocking findings on the safety of women in journalism. These findings pertained to various acts of sexual violence perpetrated on women in regional newsrooms, including verbal harassment, sexting, voyeurism, exhibitionism and sexual harassment. She then went on to introduce to her students the UNESCO Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media, which the class agreed remained relevant, even though they were first established roughly a decade ago.
Expanding outwards from the Chulalongkorn workshop to Thailandâs nearby Nakhon Pathom Province, several hundred police cadets were assembled at Thailandâs Royal Police Cadet Academy, participating under a scorching sun in a tactical training on crowd control. One group of cadets played the part of demonstrators, another of crowd control police, and yet another of journalists. The mock demonstrators, or âprotestersâ, were shouting and throwing water-filled plastic bags at the police, who raised plastic shields in self-defence, while taking up different formations to gain control of the mayhem. As the demonstration escalated, with no abatement of the chaos apparently imminent, the police employed a water cannon from a nearby fire truck to disorient and disperse the crowd. As might be expected, that action abruptly concluded the exercise.
Pol Lt Col Anupong Limsiri, a cadet trainer who had earlier attended a UNESCO training on international standards on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, was eager to share his perspective on the scenario, noting, âTrainers and cadets always exchange their views after every exercise, regardless of the roles they take. This is to ensure that cadets know what they should do. If they understand, they will not obstruct journalists doing their jobs.â He added that the UNESCO training had proved helpful, especially given that real-life journalists were invited to join the sessions, ultimately helping both police and journalists to exchange perspectives and better understand their mutual professional roles in such dramatic circumstances.
The four-day training in 2022 was led by international experts and gathered several dozen police officers, police cadet trainers, and ten journalists to discuss the role of law enforcement actors in respectingâand even fosteringâfreedom of expression, all the while ensuring the safety of journalists in the course of fulfilling their critically important duty to maintain public order. The final day of training had included a role-playing scenario of demonstration and crowd control. Mr Mongkol Bangprapa, a former president of the Thai Journalists Association, who was present, echoed the perspective of the police cadet trainer, in noting, âI also observed the training on the safety of journalists. The trainers provided both the police and journalists with theoretical tools which are very useful.â
When asked for her opinion of the exercises, Ms Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator to Thailand from early 2020 to April 2024, who had actively pushed for continuity in such UNESCO training for security forces, commented, 'Leadership on freedom of expression lies with UNESCO, which brings many UN agencies together including OHCHR, UNODC, UN Women and UNICEF.â She added, âFreedom of expression is one of the accelerators for the Sustainable Development Goals', as she underscored the importance of freedom of expression, the right to assembly, and the safety of journalists as high priorities of the Resident Coordinatorâs Office.
Nevertheless, while insisting on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, the media faces additional challenges. As Mr Bangprapa noted, âAt present, the fact-checking mechanism for the media in Thailand is not strong enough, and not many people care about it. News plagiarism is also rampant in the media.â Mr Kavi Chongkittavorn, a veteran journalist and a UNESCO long-term interlocutor, seconded to Mr Bangprapaâs remarks, adding, âA proper fact-checking mechanism is needed...[at a time] when information is overloaded, [and] while media agencies are competing for engagement and trying to make money. Some resort to sensationalizing or dramatizing [the] news.â
Speaking on professionalism, Mr Vipon Kititasnasorchai, Director of Criminal Law Research and Justice Development of Nitivajra Institute, thoughtfully remarked, âJournalists should take pride in their profession. We should raise more awareness and [cultivate] a change of mindset with people in the profession first, then [with] the public.' For his legal profession, with Mr Kititasnasorchai functioning as the key coordinator, UNESCO and Nitivajra Institute co-hosted a training workshop in 2022 for public prosecutors in Thailand on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against journalists, as well as the protection of freedom of expression. Nitivajra Institute also translated English guidelines into Thai for regional prosecutors assigned to cases of crimes against journalists. Hard copies of the publication were distributed to over 4,000 public prosecutors across the country.
Speaking on the impact, Mr Kititasnasorchai noted, âFreedom of expression is closely related to the criminal justice system in the sense that we should rely on truth. We need [to ensure] the free flow of information. We need to communicate why freedom of expression is so important. Without freedom of expression, we may not have civilisation at all.â#FreedomOfExpression #SafetyOfJournalists #MediaDevelopment
It was time for the final reckoning, as the students were now instructed toâat the start of a timerâto hurriedly search for their âobstaclesâ in the piles of paper, scramble to the wall, fetch their career goal sheet hanging there, and swiftly return to the starting pointâall within 25 seconds while nearly holding their breath. When the time was up, a majority had completed the challenge successfully; however, some were still on their way back to the starting point, or even worse, on their initial way to the wallâand all of them were women.
As it quickly became clear to all that dayâs workshop participantsâmany will be launching a career in the media industry upon graduationâwomen still face greater challenges than men in pursuing their career goals. One key challenge is the widespread prevalence of gender stereotypes, such as the assumption that women are not to be taken as seriously as men, or that they are comparatively too emotional to work in a hard-nosed newsroomâor even that they are simply unfit for certain jobs. âExecutives of television stations [have often] said that women were not strong enough to hold a television camera, and they are not the best fit in this technology-driven industryâ, said Dr Chanettee Tinnam, a lecturer in the Faculty of Communication Arts, as she displayed the percentage of women in journalism careers in Thailand and shared the findings of her study, of 2015, with regional television stations. Dr Tinnam, who commonly researches and runs gender-sensitive journalism workshops, went on to reveal even more shocking findings on the safety of women in journalism. These findings pertained to various acts of sexual violence perpetrated on women in regional newsrooms, including verbal harassment, sexting, voyeurism, exhibitionism and sexual harassment. She then went on to introduce to her students the UNESCO Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media, which the class agreed remained relevant, even though they were first established roughly a decade ago.
Expanding outwards from the Chulalongkorn workshop to Thailandâs nearby Nakhon Pathom Province, several hundred police cadets were assembled at Thailandâs Royal Police Cadet Academy, participating under a scorching sun in a tactical training on crowd control. One group of cadets played the part of demonstrators, another of crowd control police, and yet another of journalists. The mock demonstrators, or âprotestersâ, were shouting and throwing water-filled plastic bags at the police, who raised plastic shields in self-defence, while taking up different formations to gain control of the mayhem. As the demonstration escalated, with no abatement of the chaos apparently imminent, the police employed a water cannon from a nearby fire truck to disorient and disperse the crowd. As might be expected, that action abruptly concluded the exercise.
Pol Lt Col Anupong Limsiri, a cadet trainer who had earlier attended a UNESCO training on international standards on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, was eager to share his perspective on the scenario, noting, âTrainers and cadets always exchange their views after every exercise, regardless of the roles they take. This is to ensure that cadets know what they should do. If they understand, they will not obstruct journalists doing their jobs.â He added that the UNESCO training had proved helpful, especially given that real-life journalists were invited to join the sessions, ultimately helping both police and journalists to exchange perspectives and better understand their mutual professional roles in such dramatic circumstances.
The four-day training in 2022 was led by international experts and gathered several dozen police officers, police cadet trainers, and ten journalists to discuss the role of law enforcement actors in respectingâand even fosteringâfreedom of expression, all the while ensuring the safety of journalists in the course of fulfilling their critically important duty to maintain public order. The final day of training had included a role-playing scenario of demonstration and crowd control. Mr Mongkol Bangprapa, a former president of the Thai Journalists Association, who was present, echoed the perspective of the police cadet trainer, in noting, âI also observed the training on the safety of journalists. The trainers provided both the police and journalists with theoretical tools which are very useful.â
When asked for her opinion of the exercises, Ms Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator to Thailand from early 2020 to April 2024, who had actively pushed for continuity in such UNESCO training for security forces, commented, 'Leadership on freedom of expression lies with UNESCO, which brings many UN agencies together including OHCHR, UNODC, UN Women and UNICEF.â She added, âFreedom of expression is one of the accelerators for the Sustainable Development Goals', as she underscored the importance of freedom of expression, the right to assembly, and the safety of journalists as high priorities of the Resident Coordinatorâs Office.
Nevertheless, while insisting on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, the media faces additional challenges. As Mr Bangprapa noted, âAt present, the fact-checking mechanism for the media in Thailand is not strong enough, and not many people care about it. News plagiarism is also rampant in the media.â Mr Kavi Chongkittavorn, a veteran journalist and a UNESCO long-term interlocutor, seconded to Mr Bangprapaâs remarks, adding, âA proper fact-checking mechanism is needed...[at a time] when information is overloaded, [and] while media agencies are competing for engagement and trying to make money. Some resort to sensationalizing or dramatizing [the] news.â
Speaking on professionalism, Mr Vipon Kititasnasorchai, Director of Criminal Law Research and Justice Development of Nitivajra Institute, thoughtfully remarked, âJournalists should take pride in their profession. We should raise more awareness and [cultivate] a change of mindset with people in the profession first, then [with] the public.' For his legal profession, with Mr Kititasnasorchai functioning as the key coordinator, UNESCO and Nitivajra Institute co-hosted a training workshop in 2022 for public prosecutors in Thailand on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against journalists, as well as the protection of freedom of expression. Nitivajra Institute also translated English guidelines into Thai for regional prosecutors assigned to cases of crimes against journalists. Hard copies of the publication were distributed to over 4,000 public prosecutors across the country.
Speaking on the impact, Mr Kititasnasorchai noted, âFreedom of expression is closely related to the criminal justice system in the sense that we should rely on truth. We need [to ensure] the free flow of information. We need to communicate why freedom of expression is so important. Without freedom of expression, we may not have civilisation at all.â#FreedomOfExpression #SafetyOfJournalists #MediaDevelopment
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Story
27 May 2024
From where I stand: âI've seen firsthand the impact that women peacekeepers can have on the groundâ
Bangkok, 24 May 2024 â Lieutenant Colonel Peabprom Mekhiyanont is Deputy Superintendent of Cyber Crimes against Children at the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok. There, she led the creation of an artificial intelligence (AI)âpowered chatbot to support survivors of domestic violence to access justice. Since 2010, she has served as a UN Peacekeeper in Haiti, South Sudan and currently in Iraq. She has a masterâs degree in International Law from the University of Turin in Italy. On International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29 May) she spoke to UN Women about her journey and her motivation to serve communities in her country and around the world."The main reason I chose to become a police officer comes from the fact that police work involves interacting with people in various situations on a daily basis. Ideally, people trust and depend on the police for their safety and security."As a woman, I faced the question of whether I'd be adequately supported. Thankfully, I've had a supervisor who consistently encourages my development and career advancement.Luckily, back home in Thailand, I received comprehensive training in conducting investigations, specifically focusing on addressing sexual crimes against women, from various organizations, including UN Women. The training emphasized the use of forensic interview techniques, with a strong emphasis on gender sensitivity and implementing a victim-centered approach. I also underwent mandatory training on gender sensitivity and equality as part of my participation in a UN mission. The trainings helped me to understand the importance of promoting gender equality, addressing issues such as inequities and discrimination based on gender, and promoting a more inclusive and equal society for all individuals.My first experience as a UN Peacekeeper was in Haiti, and began in January 2010, in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. I was deeply saddened when I heard the news and felt I had to find a way to help them. It was during the time that the United Nations requested member States to provide police personnel to support the mission in Haiti. Despite my limited knowledge of peacekeeping operations, I decided to join the mission.My second mission, which took place from 2015 to 2016, was in South Sudan where I served as a UNPOL officer in the community policing unit, holding the specific role of a "Sensitization Officer." In this capacity, my primary objective was to conduct trainings for local police officers aimed at deepening their understanding of human rights principles and the importance of addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Through these trainings, I sought to empower local police officers to better serve their communities.Currently, I am on assignment with UN Peacekeeping as part of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) (UNITAD). In my role as an investigator, I support national and international efforts to hold ISIL members accountable for their crimes. My primary tasks involve gathering evidence related to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by ISIL in Iraq between 2014-2017. This work is similar to police work in my home country, but we must adhere to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).The main challenge I have encountered as a UN peacekeeper has been the language barrier which becomes particularly challenging in sensitive situations, such as when working with female survivors of violence. In these cases, the inability to communicate directly with the survivors due to language barriers can hinder the exchange of crucial information. Additionally, the absence of female interpreters further complicates the situation.Despite not speaking the local language, I strive to bridge the communication gap by learning about the local culture and customs, such as showing respect through appropriate greetings, and utilizing body language as a means of communication. I also see this as an opportunity to broaden my linguistic skills. In Iraq, where Arabic and Kurdish are spoken, I have taken Arabic language classes to facilitate basic conversations with the local population.As an investigator with UNITAD, my work involves more than just collecting evidence and conducting interviews. My focus is on amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard. During witness interviews, I not only gather facts related to crimes, but also make sure to shine a light on the struggles and challenges faced by minority groups by thoroughly documenting their stories in their own words. Ensuring that their narratives are accurately portrayed, particularly in the reports shared with the United Nations Security Council, is of utmost importance to me.As I've had the opportunity to work with peacekeeping missions, I've seen firsthand the impact that women peacekeepers can have on the ground. They're more likely to engage with local communities, particularly women and children, and understand their needs and concerns.Moreover, having women in peacekeeping can also have a positive impact on the local community's perception of the peacekeeping mission. Women are often seen as more approachable and less threatening than men, which can help to reduce tensions and create a safer environment.On UN Peacekeepers Day, my message is directed to women peacekeepers worldwide, particularly those in leadership positions. I want to highlight on the importance of supportive leadership in overcoming personal challenges, especially for women who struggle with self-confidence. Through my own experiences, I have come to understand the profound impact of encouragement, which can reshape how individuals view themselves and empower them to tackle obstacles with determination.Once I finish my assignment in Iraq, I will be continuing in my previous role as a detective in cybercrime. In this digital age, new threats emerge constantly, and as a female detective, I believe there's plenty for me to do.âOriginal article published on UN Women
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Press Release
14 June 2024
UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia welcomes Thailandâs ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
The ratification comes one year after the entry into force of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance which represents a critical milestone in Thailandâs domestic law criminalizing torture and enforced disappearances.âBy ratifying the ICPPED, Thailand reaffirms its commitments made during its last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect all persons from enforced disappearances and to eliminate such heinous crimes that violate a wide range of human rights and inflict indelible and long-lasting trauma on the lives of families and communities,â said Cynthia Veliko, Regional Representative of the UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia.As of August 2023, Thailand has 77 cases of enforced disappearances pending with the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance, which are yet to be resolved.âTheir families and communities have been forced to live with unbearable uncertainty, some for decades. They are entitled to know the truth and must receive redress,â Veliko said.In this context, Article 24 of the Convention recognizes that each victim has the right to know the truth regarding the circumstances of the enforced disappearance, the progress and results of the investigation into the fate of the disappeared person as well as the right to obtain reparation and prompt, fair and adequate compensation.âAll branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) are bound by the obligations articulated in the Convention. It will be critical that the Government ensures justice and the resolution of past cases, as well as the timely and comprehensive integration of the provisions of the ICPPED into national laws, policies and practices for purposes of full compliance and accountability,â Veliko said.For more information and media requests, please contact: Wannaporn Samutassadong wannaporn.samutassadong@un.org)
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Press Release
09 January 2024
High-ranking UN FAO Delegation begins Official visit to Thailand
During this Official visit, the Director-General and delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, and also the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thamanat Prompao.
Quâs delegation, visiting from FAO headquarters in Rome, is travelling to a number of important sites, in and around the Thai capital, involving the Kingdomâs food systems transformation. Qu is joined by his Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Jong-Jin Kim. FAOâs Chief Economist, Maximo Torero has also joined the delegation.
Thailand and FAO â a long and strong relationship, helping to feed a hungry world.
The Kingdom of Thailand, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have enjoyed a long and productive relationship. As a Member Nation of FAO, Thailand has also been hosting the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in the Thai capital Bangkok since 1953.
âThis visit to Thailand by the FAO Director-General, Dr QU Dongyu, is highly emblematic of the continuing and strengthening relationship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),â said Kim.
During their Mission to Thailand, the FAO delegation will visit a number of important sites, including Bang Kachao, known locally as Bangkokâs âgreen lungâ, due to its location within the bustling city and its thriving mangrove ecosystem. The initiative is supported by the Royal Forestry Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Also planned are visits to Talaad Thai Market, the largest food wholesale operation in Southeast Asia, and also to the governmentâs Department of Fisheriesâ Monitoring Centre, where vessels are tracked using latest technology and innovation as part of Thailandâs contribution in support of the âAgreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishingâ. Thailand is a party to the PSMA.
Among other highlights, the delegation will visit the governmentâs Land Development Department, steward of the Soil Museum, and advances in soil technology. The commitment of Thailand to aid and collaborate with other countries in advancing sustainable soil management led to the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Soil Research in Asia (CESRA) under the Asian Soil Partnership in 2019. The Land Development Department, within the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has invested significant efforts in CESRA's operation, and FAO has provided continuous support, both technically and financially.
The delegation will also visit an FAO Reference Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, at the cityâs Chulalongkorn University. FAOâs work with counterparts at the FAO Reference Centre and its laboratory is helping Thailand and the region deal with the growing problem of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The original press release is published on FAO
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Press Release
06 December 2023
First-ever Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs takes the helm at newly established United Nations Youth Office
Following the recommendation in the Secretary-General's groundbreaking report "Our Common Agenda", Member States unanimously agreed to the establishment of the UN Youth Office as a dedicated entity for youth affairs within the Secretariat, building upon more than a decade of work led by the Secretary-General's Envoys on Youth, and marking a pivotal breakthrough for the revitalization and expansion of the UN's engagement with and for youth.
Over many decades, the UN has made significant strides in advancing the rights and opportunities of young people. Youth empowerment is not just a matter of equity; it holds immense social and economic potential. Empowering young people drives vibrant societies, fosters innovation, and accelerates progress.
Yet, disparities affecting youth persist in every corner of the world. Young people face challenges such as limited access to education, employment and health services, and their voices often go unheard in decision-making processes.
"We are establishing a United Nations Youth Office in the UN Secretariat â building on nearly a decade of important work done by the two Envoys on Youth â to advance efforts towards stronger advocacy, coordination, and accountability for and with young people," said UN Secretary-General AntoÌnio Guterres.
The establishment of the UN Youth Office marks a pivotal breakthrough for the revitalization and expansion of the UN's engagement with and for youth, with a focus on addressing these challenges and opportunities.
Guided by the UNâs systemwide youth strategy, Youth2030, the UN Youth Office will lead efforts to enhance collaboration, coordination and accountability on youth affairs, ensuring that the United Nations works effectively and inclusively with young people in all their diversity.
Through the fostering of multi-stakeholder intergenerational solidarity, the UN Youth Office's mission focuses on strengthening meaningful, inclusive and effective youth engagement across all pillars of the UNâs work, including sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security.
On 28 October 2023, the Secretary-General announced Dr. Felipe Paullier as the first Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. Dr. Paullier officially assumes his mandate today, becoming the youngest ever senior appointment in the history of the UN.
âWith the establishment of the UN Youth Office, we mark the start of a new era for the UN system,â said Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. âAs I assume my mandate, I am eager to begin meeting with young people from all corners of the world, both virtually and on-the-ground in their communities. Learning from young peopleâs experiences over the coming months will be critical in helping me to shape an action plan for the new Youth Office that ensures no young person is left behind.â
Dr. Paullier was previously the Director General of the National Youth Institute of Uruguay, a position he held since 2020. Prior to that, he served in various political management positions, including as Deputy Mayor in the Municipality of the CH jurisdiction of Montevideo (2015-2020) and Alternate Counsellor in the Montevideo Departmental Legislative Court (2010-2015). Dr. Paullier is a Medical Doctor specialized in Pediatrics by training.
About the UN Youth Office
As an unwavering champion and advocate for young people everywhere, the UN Youth Office envisions a world in which all young people are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them most. We lead system-wide collaboration, coordination and accountability on youth affairs, harmonizing the ways the United Nations works with and for young people in all their diversity. By fostering multi-stakeholder intergenerational solidarity, our work focuses on strengthening meaningful, inclusive and effective youth engagement in the areas of sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security. For more information, follow @UNYouthAffairs on social media.
For press enquiries:
Matthew Hunter
matthew.hunter@un.org
+1 (631) 829-4275
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Press Release
30 November 2023
Thailand among Asia Enforcement Awards winners tackling scourge of transboundary environmental crime
Transboundary environmental crime presents a serious threat in the Asia region. Illegal trade in wildlife undermines conservation efforts, harms economies, devastates livelihoods, and compromises ecosystems on which humans depend. The Asia region is also a destination for illegal transboundary movement of chemicals and waste.
âGovernmental authorities working on environmental enforcement issues are on the frontline of efforts to combat transboundary environmental crime. Through this yearâs Awards, we are recognizing and celebrating their critical and essential role and effort in doing so,â said Georgina Lloyd, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Coordinator for Environmental Law and Governance for Asia and the Pacific.
The 2023 Awards were organized by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention), the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNEP, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). The award ceremony was held alongside the Global Wildlife Programme conference organized by the World Bank.
âThe work of the award winners transcends boundaries and sets a benchmark for excellence. They are not only enforcing the law, but also safeguarding our environment, biodiversity, and the ecological balance of our planet,â said Akiko Yamamoto, UNDP Regional Environment and Energy Team Leader for Asia and the Pacific.
Jenna Dawson-Faber, Regional Programme Coordinator for Asia-Pacific, UNODC Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment, said that the Asian Environmental Enforcement Award winners ârepresent the epitome of dedication to our shared values and planet. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the importance of diversity and thoughtfulness in leadership and the collaborative commitment needed to combat crimes that affect the environment across borders and continents.â
The 2023 winners of the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards are:
National Central Bureau Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Police, Tanzania and National Central Bureau Bangkok, Royal Thai Police, Thailand
Category: Africa â Asia collaboration
The Tanzania Police and Royal Thai Police, collaborating through INTERPOLâs National Central Bureau (NCB) system, successfully apprehended suspects under investigation for wildlife crimes. In July 2022, the Tanzania Police contacted the Royal Thai Police via the NCB system concerning a passenger entering Thailand via Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok. Upon inspection, 116 live tortoises, with a combined estimated worth of 900,000 Thai baht (approximately USD 24,590 at the time), were found hidden in the passengerâs luggage. Among the tortoises were the critically endangered Radiated Tortoise and Pancake Tortoise. The tortoises were seized, handed over to wildlife officials, and transferred to the Bang Pra Water Bird Breeding Center in Chonburi Province, Thailand.
Ms. Jewel Padullon, Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XIII
Category: Gender Leadership
Ms. Padullon has played a pivotal role in the series of surveillance and apprehensions throughout the Caraga Administrative Region on the island of Mindanao as part of the implementation of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resourcesâ anti-illegal logging activities. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership in investigating highly known hotspots for the illegal sale of Xanthostemon verdugonianus, commonly known as mangkono or âPhilippine ironwood,â which is classified as âvulnerableâ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Community Rangers Program, Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia
Category: Collaboration
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia Community Rangers program, launched in 2020, is comprised of Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysia Police veterans, indigenous peoples and local communities. In total, some 1,000 community rangers serve across 120 posts to combat poaching and encroachment on protected areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves and forest reserves. The diverse skills and experiences these groups bring have enhanced enforcement, with the initiative working to improve socio-economic conditions and reduce natural resource dependency.
Mr. Jagdish Bakan, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Wildlife Warden of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Director of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India
Category: Impact (individual)
Under Mr. Bakanâs leadership as Wildlife Warden of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Director of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in India, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has taken concrete action to address the illegal commercial harvesting and trade in sea cucumber. The tonnage of seizures of illegally harvested sea cucumber has increased significantly year-over-year, serving to deter and disrupt transboundary wildlife crime. Mr. Bakan has also initiated enforcement action to prevent plastic from entering the ocean, establishing a self-sustaining and community-operated plastic check posts. Nearly 40 tonnes of plastic waste have been kept out of the ocean thanks to these efforts.
Joint Task Force on Risk Analysis and Enforcement, Anti-Smuggling Bureau, Risk Management Division and Shenzhen Post Office Customs, affiliates to Shenzhen Customs, China
Category: Innovation
Between 1 June 2022 and 30 June 2023, the Joint Task Force on Risk Analysis and Enforcement in Shenzhen, China supervised the customs clearance process of more than 20 million parcels and express couriers. Following initial review, 160,000 of these were targeted and selected for further examination, based on risk profiling and intelligence. As a result of the efforts of the Joint Task Force, 13 parcels suspected of wildlife trafficking were seized and four suspects were arrested in destination jurisdictions, thanks to cross-border controlled delivery.
Philippine National Police Maritime Group
Category: Impact (team)
The Philippine National Police Maritime Group has taken a proactive approach to wildlife law enforcement by actively engaging in cyber patrolling and surveillance on social media platforms. These measures have significantly contributed to the success of entrapment operations, allowing the group to identify and apprehend individuals involved in illegal wildlife activities conducted online. From June 2022 to May 2023, the Maritime Police executed 997 wildlife enforcement operations. These targeted operations led to the confiscation of 3,717 wildlife species. By effectively using technology to gather intelligence, the agency has bolstered its enforcement capabilities, leading to successful operations and apprehension of wildlife perpetrators.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
With its Global Programme, UNODC supports just and effective responses to crimes that affect the environment, through comprehensive and coordinated efforts across and between all the actors in the criminal justice chain.
For more information, please contact:
David Cole, Public Information Officer, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
The original press release is published on UNEP.
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Press Release
23 November 2023
Thailand partners recognize communitiesâ contribution to HIV response success
BANGKOK, (24 November 2023) â Today leaders working on HIV issues across Thailand came together to celebrate the meaningful contribution of communities to Thailandâs strong HIV response. The event was held ahead of World AIDS Day which will be commemorated on December 1 with the theme âLet Communities Leadâ. From the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok, the group also called for full investment, policy and legal support in community leadership to accelerate progress and ensure no one is left behind.
Thailand is on track to meet the 95-95-95 Global AIDS Strategy testing and treatment targets by 2025. By the end of 2022 an estimated 90% of people living with HIV were aware of their status. Ninety percent (90%) of diagnosed people were on treatment and an impressive 97% of those on treatment achieved a suppressed viral load. Viral suppression (dramatically reducing the level of the virus in the blood) makes people living with HIV healthier and sharply reduces the chance that they pass on the virus. People with an undetectable viral load have zero chance of infecting others.
Thailand is fully committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal agenda. The country is internationally recognized for its 'peer-to-peer' approach, initiated in 1996. This is a framework that allows people living with HIV (PLHIV) to support each other. This initiative has grown into a network encompassing district, provincial, and national levels, evolving into what is now known as the 'Comprehensive Care Center' (CCC). Currently, there are approximately 219 such CCC networks nationwide.
Surang Janyam, Chairperson of the Thai Non-Governmental Organization Coalition on AIDS (TNCA) and Director of the Service Workers in Group Foundation (SWING), emphasized the community's transformation from service recipients to co-providers, known as Community Health Workers, under Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This transition to Community-led Health Services marks a significant advancement in promoting community sustainability in the AIDS response.
Dr. Patchara Benjarattanaporn, Director of UNAIDS Thailand, underscored the critical role of community involvement in planning, service provision and advocacy.
âCommunitiesâ contributions are crucial due to their deep understanding of the needs and barriers faced by key and vulnerable groups such as men who have sex with men, migrants, people who use drugs, service workers, transgender people and youth,â Dr. Patchara said.
Dr. Yupadee Sirisinsuk, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), stressed that Community-led Health Services are key to Thailand's strategy to end AIDS. In 2023, the NHSO allocates 575.7 million THB for HIV prevention with 182.25 million THB of this funding specifically earmarked to support community organizations and NGOs. This approach has successfully reached numerous individuals with HIV prevention and testing services, facilitating faster and more effective treatment access. Current 39 community organizations have registered and become service units with the NHSO.
Evidence from the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control project (EpiC), supported by Family Health International (FHI) and the U.S. government's USAID/PEPFAR program, shows that Key Population-led Health Services achieve far earlier detection of HIV cases when compared to the national average. (The national average CD4 count at initial diagnosis stands at 172 cells/mmÂł, while for people reached by key population-led health services it is 429 cells/mmÂł).
To ensure quality, the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University, and the Institute for HIV Research and Innovation have developed training curriculums for Community Health Workers. While MOPH established organizational accreditation. Dr. Niti Hetanurak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health said that to date, 497 from MOPH and 88 from Ratchasuda College, in total of 585 Community Health Workers have been trained from these initiatives.
Professor Dr. Praphan Phanuphak, Senior Advisor on Research and Policy at the HIV Research and Innovation Institute and the first doctor to diagnose an AIDS patient in Thailand, remains optimistic about Thailand's ability to end AIDS. He believes this goal is achievable if policymakers fully invest in community-led responses and all sectors work together to support and revise policies and regulations that currently impede the work of community organizations.
Important inputs:
Satayu Sittikan, Director of the CareMat Foundation in Chiang Mai Province, noted that through Community Led Monitoring and the Stigma Index Survey, they have gathered data that highlights issues faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community, such as barriers to HIV testing and immediate access to treatment, as well as experiences of stigma and discrimination. These data have led to significant improvements in services at several hospitals in Chiang Mai Province.
Pongthorn Chanlearn, Chairperson of the National Task Force on the HIV Stigma Index Survey in Thailand, spoke about the community network's role in conducting this survey from 2022-2023. Covering 25 provinces, the survey provides essential data on stigma and discrimination related to HIV â a significant concern in Thailand.
Nipakorn Nanta, Chairperson of the Foundation of Women Living with HIV in Thailand, led this survey and expressed pride in Thailand being one of the few countries where women living with HIV spearheaded such efforts. The Stigma Index data amplify previously unheard voices, revealing the impact of stigma and discrimination on pregnant women living with HIV, the complexities related to drug use and sexual and reproductive health.
Suhai Nong SamaHough, Manager of the Care Team Center in Songkhla, advocated for government support in providing comprehensive services and legal support for effective harm reduction for people who use drugs.
Dr. Sunthon Sunthornchart, Director of the Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), highlighted Bangkok's achievements since joining the Fast Track Cities initiative in 2014. Through robust partnerships with communities and other stakeholders, the city has earned national and international acclaim for its efficient HIV testing, same-day antiretroviral treatment, and the rapid scaling-up of pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. (PrEP is treatment taken by an HIV negative person to avoid contracting the virus, if exposed.) These efforts have resulted in a decline of new HIV infections, especially among men who have sex with men.
For media enquiries, please contact
UNAIDS Thailand | Patchara Benjarattanaporn | benjarattanapornp@unaids.org
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizationsâUNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bankâand works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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