Country Statement by Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand at the 68th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Monday 21 May 2012, United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok
Your Excellency the Prime Minister of Thailand,
Your Excellency the Prime Minister of Samoa,
Excellencies, Madame Executive Secretary,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
- The theme for this year’s Commission session: “Enhancing regional economic integration in Asia and the Pacific: Towards a comprehensive framework” is indeed very timely in the face of today’s global economic challenges.
- On my part, I wish to share with you how Thailand can contribute to the growth, prosperity and stability of our region.
- First, we believe the driving force for stability and prosperity lies in our close cooperation. Each of us can contribute to stability and prosperity in the region by forging closer regional economic integration. This will provide enormous economic and social development potentials to our region.
- Second, we believe connectivity plays a critical role for integration. Enhanced connectivity opens up new economic trade routes, offers new trading opportunities, brings in investment and, most importantly, allows people to come together.
- The most fundamental aspect is physical connectivity. Thailand has recently funded nearly 1.5 billion baht in infrastructure projects in the Southeast Asian region. The East-West Economic Corridor in Myanmar, similar projects in Lao PDR, as well as the North-South Economic Corridor connecting Thailand with Lao PDR, Vietnam, and China are but a few examples which will collectively complement the other grander infrastructure initiatives, such as ASEAN Connectivity — a strategic objective of ASEAN.
- However, building roads and bridges alone is not sufficient for us. There is also the need for an environment that encourages and facilitates the flow of goods and people. Therefore, equally important is the ‘software’ infrastructure that will help us reach the full potential of those transport corridors.
- Thailand foresees that the economic activities emerging along these infrastructures will evolve into complex communities. Therefore, we have taken various measures to speed up trade and service facilitation. This includes a single-stop inspection, mutual recognition agreement, and harmonization of standards, to name a few.
- While infrastructure connectivity and full facilitation of trade and services are vital, enhancing people-to-people connectivity plays a key role in building a stable and prosperous community. This is significantly reflected in the building of a “We” feeling among peoples in ASEAN.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
- Thailand is of the view that shared prosperity can only be sustained when each partner can participate fully and plays its significant role in regional integration. With our abundant natural resources, vibrant economies and vast amount of wealth, Asia and the Pacific do not need to look far. We can help one another and work together to bring out our full potential.
- In this connection, Thailand places special emphasis on capacity building and promotion of human resources development. We have long engaged in South-South cooperation with our fellow neighbors and other countries in the areas of education, health, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction and management.
- Greater economic integration cannot be fulfilled if vulnerabilities to natural disasters and the issue of environmental degradation are not addressed. Thailand believes, in addition to economic growth, that social and environmental issues are equally as important for achieving sustained growth and development. We are committed to making the Rio+20 Conference successful with a strong outcome that shapes the “Future We Want”.
- We also need to start our deliberations on post-2015 development goals. Thailand is supportive of the Sustainable Development Goals that reaffirm the people-centered objectives of MDGs, and which sustain efforts to eradicate poverty and address environmental challenges in a holistic manner.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
- It is clear that Asia and the Pacific is a region of vast potential, which can reach even greater heights through our collective efforts. We have the opportunity to advance the prosperity of our peoples as long as we make use of our synergies in proceeding along the path of regional integration.
- In this regard, I wish to commend the good work undertaken by ESCAP to facilitate debates, to further our efforts, and to assist us in coping with the challenges in our region. For our part, Thailand remains firmly committed to cooperating with our friends in Asia and the Pacific. Thank you for your kind attention.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th