Dr. Phiraphan Phalusuk, Minister of Science and Technology,
Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP,
Dr. Manaspas Xuto, President of the United Nations Association of Thailand,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good evening to everyone.
It is my great honour to represent Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra this evening.
I thank all of you for joining us at this reception to launch Thailand’s campaign for the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2017-2018.
Before I continue, I wish to congratulate the United Nations Association of Thailand on the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary and for its meaningful contribution to the Thai society in the past six decades.
Nevertheless, much work remains to be done to further promote a better understanding of the United Nations in Thailand, especially as we seek to serve on the UNSC.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has been over twenty-five years since we last served on the UN Security Council. The world political context has changed much in the last quarter century.
What has not change, however, is our commitment to maintaining world peace and security.
What has not change is our belief in the instrumental role of the UN and the importance of the global partnership on this matter.
And what has not change is our commitment to build a strong and effective United Nations.
A strong and effective United Nations and its institutions means that we, as members of the international community, can better deal with the challenges of this century.
Thailand is committed to doing its part and wishes to step up our contribution toward this end.
We believe that we are well placed to serve as a non-permanent member on the UNSC for a number of reasons.
Firstly, Thailand attaches importance to conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy. We believe in a proactive approach to avert conflict, including through cooperation, capacity building and dialogue based on mutual respect.
Secondly, Thailand’s strong record of continued contributions to the UN speaks for itself.
On international peace and security, Thailand has always answered the UNSC’s call for collective action in UN peace missions around the world. Since 1950, we have deployed over 20,000 military and police personnel in over 20 UN peacekeeping and related missions worldwide. Just recently, Thailand has for the first time sent our policewomen to participate in the UN Mission in Liberia.
Thailand believes that peacekeepers are early peacebuilders. Our peacekeepers have provided infrastructure building and restoration, medical services, and agricultural know-how to many places where they are deployed. Some of these activities may be beyond their call of duty but it has helped to create constructive engagement with the local peoples.
This brings me to the third point, which is, we are strongly committed to promoting a comprehensive view of peace and security.
We believe that peace and security, human rights and sustainable development are mutually re-inforcing issues, which need to be pursued concurrently and comprehensively. Therefore, we have continuously promoted seamless transition from conflict to relief and development.
Last but not least, Thailand advocates dialogue based on mutual respect in bridging differences and forging cooperation among countries.
We pledge to serve as an effective bridge of partnership to promote comprehensive security for all and contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We cannot take peace and security for granted.
We have to invest in it, cultivate it and nurture it.
International peace and security is a shared responsibility of all members of the global community.
Thailand therefore stands ready and is willing to work with all members of the UN and all concerned parties.
We count on your valuable support for Thailand’s candidature for the UN Security Council for the term 2017-2018 at the elections to be held in October 2016.
Without further ado, I wish to announce the official launch of Thailand’s campaign for the UNSC.
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