Thai PM to lobby leaders for UN Security Council seat
Thailand will intensify its campaign to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai visit New York next week for a UN meeting.
The premier and foreign minister will take the opportunity to campaign for the position, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee.
The UN General Assembly is a good opportunity to boost the campaign as leaders from 193 UN member countries will be present on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the UN and the 2015 Sustainable Development Summit, he said.
The Foreign Ministry is working on the arrangements for meetings between the premier and the foreign minister with foreign leaders, he said.
“We are focusing on the key leaders in the regions and sub-regions of the world to explain our visions, policies and ideas on the UN and global development,” Sek said.
Thailand applied to become non-permanent member on the Security Council for 2017 and 2018. The vote for the seat will take place in the middle of next year.
Despite of the political change in the country, Sek said Thailand remained a good chance to take the seat.
Prayut and Don will be in New York from Thursday to the following Wednesday.
Prayut will attend key functions including the UN Sustainable Development Summit to endorse the new development goal “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. He will also attend the UN General Assembly.
While at the UN meeting, Prayut will receive the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Sustainable Digital Development Award for the government’s policy to promote the digital technology for sustainable development, Sek said.
Prayut said in his weekly TV program on Friday that while in New York he would present Thailand’s vision on sustainable development, poverty reduction and a reduction of inequality in accordance with His Majesty the King’s sufficient economy philosophy.
“I would like everybody to be mindful that the sufficiency economy philosophy can be applied in all circumstances. His Majesty bestowed Thai people with the philosophy as long as four decades ago, and the philosophy has received international acceptance,” he said.
“Nine years ago, His Majesty was presented with the UNDP [UN Development Program] Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts in lifting the quality of life of Thai people through his long-time, vigorous pursuit of royal duties.
“I see the assembly as an appropriate opportunity to present the sufficiency economy as an option for sustainable development and as a tool for a global development agenda, and there will be discussions on these matters with the delegates to the assembly.”
Sek said the Foreign Ministry had not received any information Prayut would be targeted by protesters in New York.
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