United Nations in Thailand

With 21 United Nations entities represented in Thailand, our work encompasses all of the SDGs. The United Nations Country Team supports activities with particular focus on the following goals: SDG1.3 on expanding the reach of social protection; SDG 3.4 tackling non-communicable diseases; SDG 4.1 education for all, with a focus on migrant children; SDG 5.5 advocacy for greater participation of women in political decision making; SDG 8.3 support to small to medium-sized enterprises and youth innovation; 10.2 inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTI community; SDG 10.7 migration governance; SDG 13.2 climate change strategies at national and local level; SDG 16.1 supporting social cohesion to end violence in southern Thailand; SDG 16.9 advocacy and support to end statelessness; SDG 17.7 partnerships with private sector for sustainable development; and, SDG 17.9 the sharing of Thailand’s experience and best practices through South-South exchanges.

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Publication

03 May 2022

2021 UN Thailand Results Report

In 2021 and beyond, the UN Country Team in Thailand is providing comprehensive support for the economic and social transformation to achieve a high value- added, resilient, sustainable and low-carbon society. Partnerships are critical to all of the UN’s work in Thailand, including the close working relationship with the Royal Thai Government, deepening collaboration with the private sector, bankers and investors, and expanding ties with civil society. In response to the pandemic, the UNCT led by repurposing financing and generating evidence to reach the most vulnerable, followed by a policy- orientated approach for the sustainable and resilient recovery. The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-2026) was co-created with the Royal Thai Government to improve coordination and integrated policy advice including UNCT members and partners. Over the course of 2021, UN research, coordination and policy advice moved the needle on legislation and practices on migration, social protection, non-communicable diseases, comprehensive drug reforms, improvements to healthcare and transition to a low-carbon society. Leave No One Behind and build back better have been guiding principles in both the pandemic response and strategic planning, with gender, youth, finance, innovation and digitalization also cross-cutting priorities across the UNCT’s programming. Following the UN’s anniversary, 2021 marked 75 years since Thailand joined the United Nations, during which time the country has seen remarkable development and emerged as a regional leader in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN stands committed as a steady and innovative partner in the achievement of the national development plan and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

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12 March 2022

Act now: learn what you can do to stop climate change!

To preserve a livable climate, greenhouse-gas emissions must be reduced to net zero by 2050. Bold, fast, and wide-ranging action needs to be taken by governments and businesses. But the transition to a low-carbon world also requires the participation of citizens – especially in advanced economies. ActNow is the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability. Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can be part of the solution and influence change. Use the app to log your actions and contribute to the global count. Energy and transport are key Food matters The Race to Zero is on ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ Much of our electricity and heat are still powered by coal, oil, and gas. Airplanes and cars also run mostly on fossil fuels. To reduce your carbon footprint, use less energy at home, switch to a wind or solar-energy provider, skip a long-haul flight, and drive less. • The High-level Dialogue on Energy • The Global Sustainable Transport Conference ㅤㅤㅤ The production, processing, transport, consumption, and disposal of food all contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions. To reduce your impact on the climate, buy local and seasonal food, eat more plant-based meals, use up what you have, and compost any leftovers. • Learn how you can be a food hero • Read about the UN Food Systems Summit ㅤㅤㅤ Concrete steps by all sectors of society will determine our ability to rapidly transition to a climate-resilient future. Speak up: Appeal to world leaders, encourage your city, region and university, and urge businesses to take urgent action toward net-zero emissions. • Mobilize for the Race to Zero • Track the net-zero coalition Start with these ten actions! Our lifestyles have a profound impact on our planet. Our choices matter. Around two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to private households. The energy, food, and transport sectors each contribute about 20 per cent of lifestyle emissions. From the electricity we use, to the food we eat and the way we travel, we can make a difference—make the shift to a more sustainable lifestyle. Start with these ten actions below to help tackle the climate crisis. For more tips, and to log your actions, download the app. Save energy at home Much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and gas. Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water, or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer. Walk, bike, or take public transport The world’s roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or gasoline. Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and help your health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And carpool whenever possible. Eat more vegetables Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Producing plant-based foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land, and water. Consider your travel Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing significant greenhouse gas emissions. That makes taking fewer flights one of the fastest ways to reduce your environmental impact. When you can, meet virtually, take a train, or skip that long-distance trip altogether. Throw away less food When you throw food away, you're also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, package, and transport it. And when food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. So use what you buy and compost any leftovers. Reduce, reuse, repair & recycle Electronics, clothes, and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. To protect our climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair what you can, and recycle. Change your home's source of energy Ask your utility company if your home energy comes from oil, coal or gas. If possible, see if you can switch to renewable sources such as wind or solar. Or install solar panels on your roof to generate energy for your home. Switch to an electric vehicle If you plan to buy a car, consider going electric, with more and cheaper models coming on the market. Even if they still run on electricity produced from fossil fuels, electric cars help reduce air pollution and cause significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gas or diesel-powered vehicles. Choose eco-friendly products Everything we spend money on affects the planet. You have the power to choose which goods and services you support. To reduce your environmental impact, buy local and seasonal foods, and choose products from companies who use resources responsibly and are committed to cutting their gas emissions and waste. Speak up Speak up and get others to join in taking action. It's one of the quickest and most effective ways to make a difference. Talk to your neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family. Let business owners know you support bold changes. Appeal to local and world leaders to act now. For more detailed information on low-carbon lifestyles, see the UN Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report 2020. Illustrations: Niccolo Canova

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10 April 2022

UNODC Executive Director visits the frontlines of the Asia-Pacific drug trade

The so-called Golden Triangle area, bordering Myanmar, Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, has historically been a centre of Southeast Asia’s illicit drug economy. In her first mission to the Golden Triangle, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Waly learned about what Thailand has done, and is doing, in response to the regional drug challenge that might be applied to other parts of the world. Ms. Waly’s mission to northern Thailand started with a visit to the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in Doi Tung, Chiang Rai Province. For the past four decades, Mae Fah Luang has transformed communities characterized by opium production and insecurity into places with sustainable economies. Interacting with Doi Tung’s community, the Executive Director appreciated learning many lessons and key concepts of the Thai approach to alternative development. The mission also included a visit to neighbouring Chiang Mai Province and the Roi Jai Rak project, which was conceived as a way to address significant and long-standing problems related to synthetic drug use and trafficking. The Roi Jai Rak project applies traditional alternative development approaches to provide sustainable livelihoods to local communities, community policing, and health services for people who use drugs. Beneficiaries of the project shared their experience with Ms. Waly and discussed the strengths of the approach, lessons to consider for other places, and their hopes for the future. Thailand also cooperates extensively with other regional partners on law enforcement operations. Executive Director Waly visited the Doi Chang Moob military observation base on the Thailand-Myanmar border with Wichai Chaimongkhon, Secretary-General of the Office for the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand. She met with Thai military officers to discuss the current security situation, and joined the Royal Thai Navy for a patrol on the Mekong river – a key corridor for illicit trafficking – and to learn about border security operations and cooperation. An important example of UNODC’s cooperation with Thailand is found in the recently-established International Narcotics Control College in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai Province. Visiting the college, Ms. Waly announced UNODC’s support for it as a regional training hub and centre to assist countries to advance capacities in law enforcement, cross-border cooperation, demand reduction, and health and prevention services, and as a venue to share experiences in alternative development. Executive Director Waly’s mission reaffirmed UNODC and Thailand’s strong partnership to help address the regional drug problem. Through the newly-launched Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and the Pacific 2022-2026, UNODC will continue supporting Thailand and other regional governments to respond. Further information UNODC’s Global Strategy 2021–2025 UNODC's Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and the Pacific UNODC’s border management work in Southeast Asia UNODC’s drug and precursor work in Southeast Asia UNODC’s work on drugs, health and alternative development work in Southeast Asia Mae Fah Luang Foundation project in Doi Tung, Chiang Rai Province Mae Fah Luang Foundation project in Roi Jai Rak, Chiang Mai Province This piece was originally published on UNODC.

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10 April 2022

Thai hotels commit to sustainability

Thailand is the first country to implement the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge nation-wide. This pilot initiative is part of a larger partnership between UNESCO and Expedia Group, with the aim to promote sustainable tourism. A year after launching the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge in Thailand, more than 500 hotels have signed the pledge to eliminate single-use plastic and promote local culture – most of which are located in the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. When signing the pledge, hotels were requested to indicate the actions they were currently implementing and the initiatives they were planning on carrying out or pursuing in the future. Many hotels indicated they supported local communities by sponsoring local events (46% hotels at the time of signing the pledge and 58% pledged to do so in the future), even though larger hotels stood out in terms of donating to local communities. On the other hand, smaller hotels are more likely than others to bring local elements for decoration (43% were already doing it while 57% planned to do it in the future). Some actions garnered a lower level of commitment presumably due to difficulties for hotels to commit to, such as the replacement of refreshing towels or using a keyless system. As part of the pilot in Thailand, UNESCO commissioned a study to look further into what natural products and traditional handicrafts made in Thailand could potentially be upscaled to offer alternatives to single-used plastic products. The study identified a very wide range of natural materials that are commonly used for Thai households, such as bamboo, banana plant, palm leaves, coconut shells, etc. While acknowledging that the traditional wisdom and skills necessary to craft the products are becoming less prevalent, the study highlighted an increasing interest in and demand for natural products in many areas, including health, welfare, food, fashion, interior design and even construction. The study also showed that many hotels have been ordering locally produced items such as bamboo straws or hyacinth woven tote bags for their use. These partnerships between hotels and local producers does not only contribute to reducing single use plastics, but also improves local communities’ livelihood. In promoting this initiative further, UNESCO hopes to address the environmental challenges posed by single-use plastic and to involve local communities in the development of sustainable tourism practices and know-how. Read More (Pledge Thailand Infographic) >> Sign the pledge This piece was originally published on UNESCO.

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22 April 2022

UN teams up with Google for verified climate information

Science, Solutions, Solidarity For a livable planet Millions of people around the world go to Google to get information about climate change and sustainability. Now, when users search for “climate change,” they will find authoritative information from the United Nations in 12 languages including Thai. In addition to organic search results, Google is surfacing short and easy-to-understand information panels and visuals on the causes and effects of climate change, as well as individual actions that people can take to help tackle the climate crisis. “We are happy to collaborate with Google to ensure that factual, trustworthy content about climate change is available to as wide a global audience as possible,” said Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. “Misinformation is so widespread these days that it threatens progress and understanding on many critical issues, including climate. The need for accurate, science-based information on a subject like climate change to rise to the top of searches has therefore never been greater.” In his 2021 report, Our Common Agenda, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for tackling the “infodemic” of misinformation plaguing the world and proposed introducing a global code of conduct that promotes integrity in public information and facts and science in public discourse. For Google, the search features are part of a larger push to build products and tools that empower people to better understand and limit their personal environmental impact. “Global search interest in ‘how to be sustainable’ reached an all-time high this year,” said Chris LaRosa, Senior Product Manager, when the climate search feature was first launched in three languages last October. “At Google, we believe technology has a crucial role to play in a carbon-free future and we want to help people make more sustainable choices every day.” Following the English, French and Spanish versions rolled out last fall, UN climate content is now featured on Google Search also in Thai, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Vietnamese. For more information, please see: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/sustainability-2021

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21 April 2022

4 Countries with Smart Policies

"What raised you?" A review of society blueprint from 4 countries that have rapidly developed thanks to smart policies" If children really are the future of nations, why are the 1.1 million Thai children still not found in the Thai education system. Why do approximately two Thai children still die from drowning everyday? Why do 7.3 million Thai children still belong to vulnerable groups? The birth rates in recent years have dropped sharply and hit the lowest in Thai history. It could be deduced that Thailand is starting to enter an aging society where youth are facing the socio-economic gaps that have been further widened as time goes by. Will you believe it if someone says a solution to these problems is a human-centric approach for policy-making? If Little S is born in Estonia, the e-Government system will calculate and determine the closest school for S and when he reaches school age, he will be enrolled in that school automatically. Its educational institutions place utmost importance on child development since kindergarten. Estonian kids will be trained at a young age in social skills, assertiveness, and confidence to ask any questions when in doubt. In other words, they will learn to pose any questions from “learning by playing” where teachers play an important role in the preparation of physical and emotional development. If Little Lion is born in Singapore, he will grow up in a family that is available to fully support his development. Not only that Singapore has a good and reliable infrastructure but also its Innovation Lab, which has been working closely with the government sector, and has created an application called “Moments of Life” to facilitate parents along the process. This application can help with registering for a birth certificate, searching for benefits provided by the government, searching for daycares, and even checking for their children’s vaccination records. Thus, it can help reduce stresses of parents when they have to deal with loads of paperwork. Moreover, Innovation Lab has collaborated with the 15 agencies and made them available in the single application for a one-stop service. This can be achieved thanks to their established objective which is “user needs must be understood.” If Little Eng is born in the United Kingdom, she will grow up with an education system that can be transformed constantly to adapt to the modern life and protect both students and school staff who are the fundamental part to advance the education system. Recently, the government has launched a campaign called “Keeping Children Safe in Education” to listen to public opinions. The UK citizens can read the edited draft of The Education Act and give suggestions for further improvement. This shows that the voices and needs of the people are deemed more important than the sanctity of the law and the official titles who, in fact, should be striving for excellent services for the public. If Little Kay is born in South Korea, her parents will immediately receive a 8,000-baht allowance for child support. In 2025, the amount will be increased to 13,500 baht with a 54,000-baht bonus after each childbirth. New parents can take pregnancy leave and still be rewarded with the 80,000-baht allowance. These are implemented to ensure that each parent will have enough time in raising a child for the best development. Moreover, Little K will be taken care of under “Early Childhood Education and Care” in which the government has invested 10 times more than its expenditure in 2000. Under this policy, the government will provide more learning spaces through plays, sports, and arts to help develop children’s knowledge and emotional intelligence as well as increase their confidence. Consequently, they can create a social space for children’s joy which should be implemented in the early age. This piece was originally published on Thailand Policy Lab.

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10 April 2022

UN forges bonds in war on drugs

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is seeking closer cooperation with Thailand to tackle narcotics issues in the region. To that end, the UNODC Southeast Asia and Pacific Regional Office, the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Mae Fah Luang Foundation recently co-organised a trip to the Golden Triangle region near Chiang Rai during March 31-April 1, with aim of reviewing the drug situation in Thailand and the Mekong subregion. Among efforts the group saw was a royal initiative as part of the Doi Tung Development project that has for decades been turning opium plantations into fertile land for highland crops including cold-climate plants and vegetables, helping hill tribe people who rely on agriculture. With the group was UNODC executive director Ghada Waly, the first woman to lead the agency and in the position since February 2020. In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Ms Waly said that during her stay in Thailand she has met government officials including those at the Foreign Affairs and Justice ministries as well as the Office of the National Security Council. She said among the most urgent problems to be addressed in Thailand and Southeast Asia are, on the supply side, transnational drug trafficking groups and, from a demand perspective, the matter of drug usage. "These are central issues in UNODC's mandate, and they are also common and interlinked challenges across the region. It is important to be able to count on committed partners like Thailand to support wider regional security and rule of law efforts, including through South-South cooperation (referring to the technical cooperation among developing countries in the Global South)," she added. One of the most important missions during this trip was the announcement of UNODC's Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. She said this programme was designed to support tailored responses to organised crime, terrorism, corruption and drugs in the region by focusing on threats such as synthetic drugs and trafficking. She also conveyed UNODC's commitment to sustainable development and security, saying she was keen to learn of other perspectives and receive feedback towards developing responses in line with national and regional priorities. "The visit has allowed us to recognise what Thailand is doing well -- such as passing of the new narcotics law -- and also to identify areas where UNODC can do more to help, and to promote the sharing of lessons between countries and communities in different parts of the region and the world,'' she said. Ms Waly also had opportunity to meet HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati. She said Her Royal Highness had been collaborating with UNODC by lending her voice to help promote the rule of law. Her Royal Highness, she said, was instrumental in the establishment of the UN Standards on the Treatment of Women Prisoners, also known as the "Bangkok Rules" in recognition of the critical role that Thailand played in their development and adoption at the UN General Assembly. "[Her Royal Highness] has also worked with UNODC to advance Asean regional discussions and initiatives. I am hopeful we can carry this partnership forward and work on new initiatives. UNODC recently launched the 'Women in Justice/for Justice' initiative with this goal in mind, and I am eager to explore the possibility of benefitting from Her Royal Highness's engagement in this work," said Ms Waly. She added that UNODC has worked with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage for several years on sustainable, alternative development projects. The foundation has been a strong advocate for helping local communities that once grew opium transition to more sustainable agricultural practices. Ms Waly said the foundation had addressed the underlying conditions in a wholistic way, and UNODC had plans to work together more in the Mekong region in the future. "We have also been working with Mae Fah Luang Foundation to promote the sharing of knowledge and best practices on the global level, through platforms such as the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Crime Congress," she added. The organisation, for example, applied the lesson learned from the Doi Tung Development project in Myanmar's Shan state, which was once an area dependent on opium cultivation and later became Myanmar's largest coffee exporter. The project supports about 4,000 farmers to lead a better life. UNODC also implements similar activities in Laos. Ms Waly said she was also concerned about the drug situation in the Golden Triangle region. "There have been many contributing factors, but the fact remains that behind the drug business there are sophisticated organised crime groups exploiting the region. "They use Shan State for production. They launder vast amounts of money through businesses like casinos in border areas of the Mekong or real estates, and they illicitly access chemicals to produce drugs easily," she said. It was necessary to prioritise the efforts to disrupt organised crime groups by focusing on addressing the trafficking of precursor chemicals, money laundering and corruption. There was also a need to expand cross-border and multilateral cooperation on these issues. "Just as crucially, we need additional focus on slowing and lowering demand for drugs by expanding our work with Thailand and the region on prevention, treatment and health services, as well as on drug policy and justice reforms to reduce the burden on policing and court systems, and to address prison overcrowding. "Practical cooperation at all levels is required to make a difference, and we have a strong partner in Thailand to help lead on these efforts," she added. The UNODC was also keen to help Thailand combat drugs across borders with the launch of the International Narcotics Control College (INCC), which will focus on research and providing knowledge for students across Mekong subregion, as well as a research centre for narcotic crops. The college is still under construction. UNODC has provided financial support and office supplies to the college. This piece was originally published on the Bangkok Post.

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11 April 2022

Trust 'key' to quest for better world

At this pivotal moment for people and planet, the world has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance an inclusive socio-economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic that drives down poverty and inequalities; advances the protection of our natural world; and boosts decisive climate action. Yet the foundation that all these ambitions are built on – trust between people and governments – has been eroded by the pandemic. Through misinformation and division, it has been argued that the media and governments are feeding a vicious cycle of distrust and “exploiting it for commercial and political gain.” The key to reversing this worrying trend is strengthening “civic space” – that is, allowing people to organize, participate and communicate one another freely about the future they want. Despite the world’s health, wealth, and education outcomes being at an all-time high, this lack of trust is making people feel apprehensive about their futures. A recent report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) underlines the strong association between declining levels of trust and feelings of insecurity. People with higher levels of perceived human insecurity – defined as freedom from want, freedom from fear, as well as freedom from indignity – are three times less likely to find others trustworthy. As in other parts of the world, civic space in Asia and the Pacific continues to shrink, with many countries rated as “closed,” “obstructed,” or “repressed.” In the past five years alone, countries in Asia have adopted 47 new measures restricting civic space. Moreover, misinformation and hate speech, especially on social media, continue to sow crowd out evidence-based news, fermenting intolerance and even conflict. Therefore, we at the UNDP are working with countries throughout the region to protect and restore civic space. Empowering the marginalized First, we are empowering people – especially young people, women, and marginalized communities such as persons with disabilities, the LGBTI community and indigenous people – to become more active citizens in their countries’ pathway toward the Global Goals. For instance, together with UNICEF and our partners, we have helped more than 2 million young people in the region to improve their digital skills. That is helping to build a new cadre of young leaders – engaged and socially aware – so that they can have their say on critical issues like climate action, and their future. This is vital work given that 49% of tech experts surveyed recently predicted that the use of technology will weaken democracy in the coming years. As part of efforts to address this area proactively, the UNDP, through the TechForDemocracy initiative led by Denmark, is helping to make technology work for democracy and human rights, not against them. That includes pinpointing new ways that technology such as artificial intelligence can enhance democratic values and practices such as inclusion, transparency, and accountability to restore trust in democracy. Or look to the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform, which has already engaged 12,000 young people, helping them to get more engaged in the design and implementation of countries’ climate pledges under the Paris Agreement known as nationally determined contributions. Or consider the Youth Environmental Living Lab in Malaysia that is providing young people with the skills and space to design and lead much-needed local environmental initiatives. Indeed, our social innovation platforms in Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand are helping to drive new forms of collaboration between communities, local governments, and businesses. To take just one example, in Pakistan, we are prototyping new methods to grow fruit and vegetables in mountainous villages located at an altitude of 3,000 meters. This new cooperation is improving crop yields, food security and livelihoods. Defending the defenders Second, human-rights defenders are facing ever-greater risks of harassment, intimidation and violence, and defenders of land and environmental rights are increasingly targeted. In 2020 alone, 56 human-rights defenders were killed in the Asia-Pacific region, some of them exposing illegal logging or mining. Therefore, it is imperative to address the intrinsic link between business and human rights. To that end, we have invested in national human rights institutions and strengthened their ability to respond to claims of human-rights abuses from companies. And the UNDP is supporting journalists and rights activists who are facing strategic lawsuits against public participation, brought by powerful interests. We are also working to train young environmental human-rights defenders, helping them to minimize the risks they face. Fighting hate speech Third, countering hate speech, polarization, and misinformation by promoting tolerance, diversity, and factual narratives is crucial. As part of these efforts, the UNDP is working directly with social-media platforms to develop more effective policies against hate speech and misinformation. And look, for instance, to the United Creatives program, where 40 young leaders, influencers and creators were supported to build creative digital campaigns to address gender-based hate speech and stigmas around mental health. We are also amplifying the voices of young people as agents of change. That includes building new dialogue platforms in the region, which are helping young people to engage with key decision-makers like members of parliament for the first time. To “build forward better” from the pandemic, everyone must be able to have a say in his or her future. That means forging better connections to the governments that serve them, including through the use of cutting-edge technologies. If the world places a renewed focus on the “missing link” of rebuilding trust, there is well-founded hope to realize a greener, more inclusive, and more sustainable future sooner than expected. This pieces was originally published on the Bangkok Post.

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10 April 2022

Moving away from coal ‘will not be easy’ but it is essential for our common future, UN deputy chief says

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General on Monday called on countries in Asia and the Pacific to speed up the shift from fossil fuels to new, low-carbon development models, in a just and inclusive way. “Moving away from coal and fossil fuels in a region that accounts for 75 per cent of global coal-fired generation capacity will not be easy. But it is essential for our common future, and it is financially and technologically possible,” Amina Mohammed said. She also highlighted the need for greater investments in adaptation, and urgent action to build the capacity of developing countries to adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. “The latest IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] report laid out an atlas of human suffering – particularly across the Asia-Pacific region, where the very existence of entire nations is threatened by rising sea-levels and where we will see vulnerabilities grow with increased flooding, heat waves, drought and extreme weather events,” Ms. Mohammed added. The deputy UN chief was addressing the ninth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), in Bangkok, where governments and key stakeholders from the private sector, youth and civil society representatives from across the region, met in person and online, against the backdrop of faltering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). The Forum runs through 31 March. Over the next four days, Forum participants will undertake an in-depth review of the region’s progress on Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality education), 5 (Gender equality), 14 (Life below water), 15 (Life on land) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The outcome of the regional Forum will feed into the global High-Level Political Forum in July. Asia-Pacific ‘fast losing ground’ on sustainable development Estimates suggest that regional GDP growth could slow down and inflation could rise, primarily due to soaring oil and commodity prices, supply-chain disruptions, and fiscal constraints. Debt burden is also feared to rise for emerging and developing countries.

According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the convener of APFSD, the region is “fast losing ground” on its ability to achieve the development goals by 2030 on the black of the COVID-19pandemic and complex crisis. Asia-Pacific’s progress on quality education, gender equality, life below water, life on land, and partnerships, the five SDGs under review at the meeting, “has been limited or even stagnated in some cases”, said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP. “Regrettably, region has even regressed on others, including those on sustainable consumption and production, and climate action,” she added, calling on governments to put policies into action by aligning national recovery strategies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The head of ESCAP also called for strengthening public and private finance for inclusive and sustainable development, and putting people and planet at the centre. Karl Kendrick Chua, Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), who was elected as Chair of the ninth APFSD, added that the unique experiences of countries in Asia and the Pacific, “as well as our shared struggles to rise above the challenges posed by the pandemic, are replete with lessons and best practices we can all draw from as we strive to shape a better region in the face of a new reality.” Seventy-fifth anniversary of ESCAP Monday also marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of ESCAP, the UN’s development arm in Asia and the Pacific. The Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, as ESCAP was then called, was established in 1947 in Shanghai, China, as a forum for regional collaboration to help countries focus on economic development and reconstruction in the aftermath of World War II. In 1976, the Commission changed its name to ESCAP, reflecting its expanded membership and scope of work. Since its establishment, ESCAP has formed institutions key to the continued growth of the region, including the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Highway Network, and the Trans Asian Railway Network, which for instance covers over 117,500 kilometres of railway lines and over two dozen countries. Marking the occasion, Ms. Alisjahbana highlighted that ESCAP has been the most inclusive platform to promote dialogue and foster joint regional action in Asia and the Pacific. “Let us recommit to this mission. I count on your continued commitment, support and leadership,” she said. This piece was originally published on UN News.

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Press Release

10 December 2021

FAO in Asia-Pacific calls for improvements to early warning systems as concerns grow over evolving avian influenza and potential threat to humans

Bangkok – Cases of avian influenza are rising globally, with 272 additional events of outbreaks in birds recorded worldwide by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in little more than a month. The FAO data records the increase since 27 October 2021. Increased avian influenza activity has been seen in the Asia-Pacific region, but also in Africa and Europe during the past year and it is suspected that wild birds may play a role in spreading the virus globally. In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza A(H5N6) has caused 52 human infections in the Asia-Pacific region since 2014, half of which have occurred in 2021, and mostly in people with close contact with poultry prior to infection. “Avian influenza viruses are constantly evolving, and we must be vigilant to detact new subtypes of the virus that could devastate poultry production systems in the region or infect humans, which can lead to a pandemic,” said FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Regional Manager Kachen Wongsathapornchai. “There is an urgent need to better share information on what strains of influenza circulate in Asia and ensure countries take the necessary steps to protect the public health and the livelihoods of their communities.” he added. In response to this situation, FAO ECTAD has been consulting with more than 40 experts on avian influenza viruses to discuss what can be done to improve avian influenza surveillance and early warning systems in the Asia-Pacific region. The ideal early warning system: better data drive smarter decisions During the consultations, FAO and various experts emphasized the importance of information sharing to improve early warning, prevent the virus’ spread and minimize the global impacts of avian influenza. “Better data would have helped countries and the international community determine preparedness and response more quickly and confidently,” said Filip Claes, FAO ECTAD Regional Laboratory Coordinator. In particular, FAO and experts encourage countries to: Rapidly share surveillance results and sequence information with the international community and neighboring countries to improve early warning and better prepare for virus incursions. Conduct targeted surveillance to detect the disease risk in migratory birds and poultry value chains. Enhance public trust in science and build strong multilateral collaboration in diverse areas, involving public and private sectors, research institutions, communities, and others. Build integration between human health, animal health, and environmental sectors during surveillance activities through the One Health approach. The way forward – a call for collective action The current ongoing and evolving avian influenza situation is an opportunity to recognize and address the national and global efforts to tackle the virus. FAO and experts are calling for collective action to share relevant avian influenza information with the international and scientific communities, and create a true international early warning network that can benefit countries’ preparedness efforts. FAO provides early warning information on zoonotic and animal disease outbreaks, such as H5Nx avian influenza. Member countries can share their disease information on the EMPRES-i platform, and avian influenza sequences with the OIE/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU). For media inquiries please contact Allan Dow at allan.dow[a]fao.org and Rindu Putri at rindu.putri[a]fao.org

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Press Release

06 December 2021

UNOPS Lives in Dignity call for proposals opens with EUR 12 million available for displacement aid projects in Southeast Asia

Geneva, Switzerland - Following the launch of the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility and the first call for proposals in June 2021, the European Union (EU) has allocated €12m for a second call for proposals to support local, innovative and development-oriented projects working to assist displacement-affected communities in three additional acute displacement crises. Forced displacement remains one of the world’s greatest sources of human suffering – according to UNHCR’s Mid-Year Trends Report 2021, global displacement looks set to exceed 84 million by mid-2021, an increase from 82.4 million reported at the end of 2020, with 85 per cent of those displaced hosted in developing countries. The impact of climate change is likely to accelerate the scale of this crisis. Following the launch of the first call for proposals in June 2021, projects have been selected in central America, the Sahel and countries affected by the Afghanistan crisis. The projects span local initiatives run by local NGOs to government-led programmes and national and international partnerships. They range from building climate-sensitive infrastructure for displaced communities at risk of extreme weather, supporting and growing livelihood opportunities among displaced and host communities, developing water, sanitation and health systems in areas of inadequate service provision, to relocation programmes in areas at severe risk of disaster. Each project will be formally announced in the coming weeks on the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility web pages. The second call for proposals will focus on projects in countries that have been impacted by the displacement crises in the Horn of Africa, and related to Myanmar and Venezuela. In alignment with the first call, proposals are expected to draw upon and develop new forms of collaboration between humanitarian, development and peace actors, with an emphasis on the engagement of affected populations and local leadership. Potential partners are asked to submit a concept note for the project they wish to have funded by the 23 January 2022 deadline – expanded proposals will then be requested from those who are shortlisted. European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “The first call for proposals from the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility has demonstrated the value of a more local approach to forced displacement. Each selected project offers new and innovative ways to support communities’ resilience and empower their members through livelihoods and basic services. The second call for proposals focuses on some of the world’s most challenging displacement crises. It is our hope that this call too will spur approaches and solutions that make a concrete difference in the lives of displaced people and their hosts.” The Call for Proposals The second Call for Proposals focuses on the following countries: South and Southeast Asia: countries affected by both the Myanmar forced displacement situation and disaster/climate-related displacement: (Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand). Horn of Africa: Countries highly relevant to the Sudan–South Sudan situation (South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda). Americas: Countries highly affected by the Venezuela displacement situation (Aruba and Curacao, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru). The deadline for submission of a concept note is Sunday 23 January 2022. Find out more about the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility and download the call for proposals. About DG INTPA, European Commission: The Directorate-General for International Partnerships is responsible for formulating the EU’s international partnership and development policy, with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the world. Read more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/international-partnerships_en About UNOPS: UNOPS’ mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to provide peace and security, humanitarian and development solutions. Read more: www.unops.org

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Press Release

01 November 2021

Southeast Asian Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) to focus on the Region’s pathways to a low carbon future at COP26

ETP will bring light to the issues faced in energy transition in SEA to the discussions at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), as it continues to mobilize and coordinate the necessary technical and financial resources to create an enabling environment for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure in the region. In the first event, held jointly with the OECD today, the partnership will bring together experts from governments, intergovernmental organisations and the private sector to explore opportunities for further leveraging limited domestic and international public funds to mobilise clean energy finance and investment; discuss country progress and consider opportunities to enhance collaboration that catalyses greater investments in emerging economies and highlight international experience and recent developments in supporting clean energy development and mobilising capital for the private sector. The event will advocate for more targeted application of public funding as well as international climate and development finance to increase the pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in emerging economies. The role of international support and collaboration can help to redouble investor opportunities, de-risk projects and leverage the large amount of private capital needed to achieve clean energy and climate ambitions in emerging economies. The second event on Thursday will deliver a panel dialogue and discussion session by bringing together governments and international donor community on the challenges and opportunities to a low carbon energy system in the region; and the key role of international support to help the region achieve the ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions targets. The session will specifically explore the key role of international support in (1) supporting an improved delivery environment to accelerate the energy transition in Southeast Asia, (2) improving coordination between other relevant initiatives in the region, including capital investments and technical assistance, and (3) where possible and appropriate, to promote communication and knowledge sharing among stakeholders in the region on energy transition. Moreover, it will explore the role of regional development partners aiming to bring leadership in the region together to accelerate the energy transition and tackle the barriers to the clean energy transition in Southeast Asia. The events will emphasize the role of development partners in unlocking the most imminent energy transition needs to achieve the ambitious climate commitment goals. As with the broader work of ETP, the discussions will facilitate donor efforts to support countries in Southeast Asia transition towards an energy system that simultaneously ensures environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security. Speaking ahead of the events, Director for SEA ETP, Sirpa Jarvenpaa said: “The ETP events at COP26 reflect our broader work, of bringing the right technical and financial resources together to create an enabling environment for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure in the region.” “Meeting clean energy and climate ambitions in emerging economies will require a massive increase in investments, channelling commercial capital to clean energy projects and attracting overseas investors. We are glad to be a part of these discussions, facilitating donors to support countries to unlock the most imminent energy transition needs across the region and achieve ambitious climate commitment goals.” Notes to the editors: Speakers at the first event include: Airlangga Hartarto, Minister, Co-ordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia, National actions to unlock finance for climate action Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance, Enabling finance and investment in solar energy in emerging economies Shintya Roesli, Finance and Risk Management Director, PLN Norbert Gorißen, Deputy Director General Federal Ministry for the Environment Nature Conservation Building and Nuclear Safety (BMU), “The climate finance from bilateral and international donors to accelerate low carbon economy” Mason Wallick, Director, Southeast Asian Clean Energy Facility, “Private sector fundings and BF instruments to support public fundings in the energy transition (Indonesia story)” Michael Hugman, Director Climate Finance of Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), “Role of philanthropy in energy transition in Southeast Asia” Speakers at the second event include: Ms. Manelle Ait Sahlia, Deputy Head of Energy Department and the Chair of Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), AFD DG Dadan Kusdiana, Director General, New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia USEC William Felix Fuentabella, Undersecretary, Planning, Renewable Energy, Power, Investment, Media Affairs, Department of Energy, the Philippines Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister HE, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam Edwin Syahruzad, President Director of PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) Lloyd Bautista, Academic Researcher and Lecturer, Ateneo School of Governance Nhien Ngo, Executive Director of Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition Simon Rolland, Energy Programme Director, GIZ Liz Mckeon, Head of Portfolio, Climate Action, IKEA Foundation Sirpa Jarvenpaa, Fund Director, Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership Live streams of the events can be found here: Event 1: Live streamed through this link Event 2: live streamed through this link Press contact details: For media inquiries, and to arrange interviews with authors please contact:
Yuchong Nam, Energy Transition Partnership - yuchongn [@] unops.org About Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership: The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership is a five-year, multi-donor partnership formed by governmental and philanthropic partners to accelerate sustainable energy transition in Southeast Asia in line with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. We combine the best of the public and private sector with the UN to help mobilize and coordinate technical and financial resources to build the foundations for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable resilient infrastructures. With an initial focus on Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, ETP helps countries to transition towards an energy system that simultaneously ensures environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security. UNOPS is the fund manager and host of ETP Secretariat. Read more about ETP here and about UNOPS here.

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Press Release

09 November 2021

COVID-19 vaccination of vulnerable displaced persons begins in Thailand

On 25 and 26 October, 1,295 displaced persons in Ban Tham Hin Temporary Shelter in Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi, received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, thanks to the effort of Thai Red Cross and its network partners. Administration of second dose is scheduled for November 2021. The pilot vaccination in Tham Hin camp by the Thai Red Cross is a vivid testimony of Thailand’s firm commitment to the principle of inclusivity without leaving anyone behind”, stated Giuseppe de Vincentiis, UNHCR representative while welcoming the commencement vaccination of vulnerable displaced persons in Thailand. The vaccination rollout was marked with launching event, presided by Dr. Apichart Chinwanno, Assistant Secretary General for Externals Relations of Thai Red Cross Society with participation of the governor of Ratchaburi, Mr. Ronnapop Luengpairote; Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, representatives from UNHCR, Thai Red Cross Society (TRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The Tham Hin campaign targets priority populations: individuals with chronic illness, with disabilities, elderly, and women with more than 12 weeks of pregnancy. Volunteers and health professionals jointly conduct vaccination. Htoo Htoo, an IRC volunteer, shared how thrilled he is to be part of this activity made possible thanks to close cooperation between TRC, Ministry of Interior, Ratchaburi province, Suan Pheung Hospital, IRC, and UNHCR. “I am also going to get vaccinated, and I am a bit nervous too”, said Htoo Htoo. “Still, I am hopeful vaccination will alleviate the challenges brought by COVID-19 for residents of temporary shelter”. Although COVID-19 impacts everyone, refugees and asylum-seekers can be particularly vulnerable due to challenges they may face in meeting basic needs, accessing information about COVID-19 and obtaining hygiene items or medical support. This pilot vaccination programme by the Thai Red Cross further builds on previous pilot projects launched by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA). During September-August, the CRA implemented a pilot vaccination programme which has benefitted 374 urban refugees. CRA has also allocated 20,000 doses for up to 10,000 refugees with already over 4,000 refugees having received first dose of vaccine in Mae La temporary shelter. UNHCR appreciates the generosity of Thailand in helping the most vulnerable have access to vaccines and continues to endeavour to engage all displaced communities in awareness-raising efforts to the furthest extent possible by integrating COVID-19 risk communication messages into its ongoing outreach activities, ensuring that materials and messages are shared in a culturally appropriate manner way and in relevant languages. Original press release published on UNHCR Thailand.

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Press Release

21 October 2021

UN supports ban of ‘e-cigarettes’ in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand - The United Nations expresses full support for Thailand’s ban of electronic cigarettes, known as e-cigarettes, and urges the Government to take strong measures, as appropriate to the national context, to protect the people in Thailand, especially youth from the harms of tobacco use. “Evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are harmful to health and are not safe. E-cigarettes put young people at risk of lifelong nicotine addiction and can turn current users into dual users,” according to a letter issued today addressed to H.E. General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand. The use of tobacco products kills approximately 70,000 people in Thailand every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported, costing the economy an estimated 93 billion Thai baht or 0.65 per cent of the GDP. Renaud Meyer, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim to Thailand, said: “E-cigarettes pose a threat to Thailand’s tobacco control efforts and can reverse gains made over many decades. Especially worrying is the increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents aged 13-15 in recent years from 3.3 per cent in 2015 to 8.1 per cent in 2021.” Dr. Renu Garg, WHO representative ad interim to Thailand, commended recent efforts in tobacco control but also emphasized: “It is recommended to further enact comprehensive evidence-based tobacco control measures to reduce nicotine addiction and tobacco use, to fulfill Thailand’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.” Responding to unproven health claims about e-cigarettes, she added: “WHO has never stated that e-cigarettes are 95 per cent less harmful to health than conventional cigarettes.” An earlier statement by WHO has confirmed the need to promote smoking cessation, citing tried and tested interventions, including brief advice from health professionals, quit lines, mobile text messaging, nicotine replacement therapies and non-nicotine pharmacotherapies. For more information and media requests, please contact: Amy Thaweeporn KUMMETHA (kummethat@who.int)

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