On 17 June 2010, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, paid a courtesy call to Mr. Panich Vikitsreth, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, during her visit to Thailand to chair the Regional Coordination Mechanisms of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Ms. Migiro admired Thailand’s progress in fulfilling its commitment to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, despite the fact that the international community has been affected by financial and energy crisis, and climate change. She also praised Thailand for supporting women’s roles in the United Nations peacekeeping operations that portrays how much Thailand attaches its importance to promoting women’s roles in all walks of life.
With regard to the latest political development in Thailand, Vice Minister Panich stated that after the reconciliation plan has been announced, the Royal Thai Government has appointed the well-respected persons to assume the post in the independent fact-finding committee, and is determined to pursue the plan with the participation of all stakeholders in the society to resolve the problems of the country.
In this connection, Ms. Migiro said that Thailand is a key member of this region. The United Nations stands ready to assist Thailand in returning to normalcy, as well as the Kingdom’s constructive and active role in Myanmar’s political development.
On this occasion, Mrs. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), expressed her appreciation to Thailand’s achievement in pushing forward the concept of regional connectivity during its ASEAN chairmanship, and its contribution in the amount of 10 million USD to the Tsunami Regional Trust Fund.
Regarding this issue, Vice Minister Panich further expressed that Thailand is willing to give aid to any countries which are in need of help, and earlier this year, Thailand has given a continuous support to the earthquake-stricken Haiti.
Lastly in terms of women rights promotion, Vice Minister Panich briefed Ms. Migiro on the Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates (ELFI) which is the programme focusing on the rights of female inmates, and requires support from the UN community. Ms. Migiro viewed the matter as an outstanding and very interesting programme that addresses the issues of human rights and dignity of women.
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