United Nations urges Thailand to collaborate for sustainable future
A United Nations official called on the Government of Thailand, private sector, and communities to collaborate for the nation’s sustainable future. Kanni Wignaraja, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme, highlighted the need for inclusivity in these efforts.
During her recent visit to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025, held from February 25 to 28 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Wignaraja discussed Thailand’s progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs). She noted ongoing challenges, particularly in areas like biodiversity and the well-being of specific groups.
Wignaraja met with ministers, business representatives, and community members, addressing challenges Thailand faces in SDGs related to climate action, nature conservation, and gender equality. She pointed out that women and girls are more severely impacted by environmental issues.
“Combining climate change and natural disasters with environmental degradation, waste management issues, and pollution shows that women and girls are often the hardest hit at every life stage.”
These challenges affect education, employment, and equal pay for women and girls throughout their lives. Wignaraja emphasised the need for all sectors to contribute to inclusive growth, especially in addressing environmental impacts on women and girls.
Focus on the people
She encouraged Thailand to use its rich biodiversity through sustainability-linked financing, ensuring investments focus on the planet and people, including education, social protection, and support for vulnerable groups.
“When working on financing policy, it’s crucial to consider sustainability-linked financing. Highlight natural assets, identify sustainability markers, and the cost of borrowing should reflect these.”
She stressed the necessity of government and private sector collaboration for sustainable change.
Large companies, in particular, have a responsibility to mitigate their environmental impact and regenerate Thailand’s natural assets, Wignaraja noted. She urged banks and micro-entrepreneurs to join these efforts.
“Large companies must avoid harming the planet and natural resources, and contribute to regenerating and improving Thailand’s natural assets.”
She further underscored that government policies should prioritise people’s livelihoods and needs to ensure equitable and sustainable development.
Promoting investments
During her visit, Wignaraja travelled to Phetchaburi, where she attended the signing of a statement of intent between the UNDP and Phetchaburi province to promote bioeconomy investments benefiting both people and the planet.
Phetchaburi serves as a model for successful public-private biodiversity investments, with collaborations involving the UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative, Krungthai Bank, and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning. The province is a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy and home to Kaeng Krachan National Park, a World Heritage site.
Wignaraja highlighted Phetchaburi as an example of government, business, and local community collaboration driving economic growth while preserving the environment. Initiatives like bird-watching tourism and seafood farming have promoted inclusive community-level growth.
Thailand has introduced innovative policy development methods through the Thailand Policy Lab. This initiative, created by the National Economic and Social Development Council in partnership with the UNDP, aims to engage citizens in policymaking to address complex challenges as Thailand transitions into an upper-middle-income nation, which Wignaraja sees as beneficial for sustainable development of the country.
“I see a renewed interest and strong commitment from Thailand to advance the sustainable development agenda. While SDGs are being localised in Thailand, policies must place people’s needs at the centre, considering their intersectionality and evolving experiences.
“This approach ensures that everyone, private sectors, local administrations, and international partners, is involved in the transformation towards a sustainable future.”
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