Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

H.E. Mr. Sek Wannamethee

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development

Thursday, 14 September 2017, at Room XX

Mr. President,

Thailand wishes to congratulate the Special Rapporteur for his first report.

Thailand underscores the importance of the respect for the right to development as well as economic, social, and cultural rights on equal terms with any other rights.

We concur with the views reflected in the report on the importance of creating synergies between the realization of the right to development and the achievement of global agendas and instruments on development, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which are mutually reinforcing. Thailand has placed the 2030 Agenda as our national priority, viewing development in light of our home-grown approach, known as the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of His Majesty the Late King of Thailand, which places people including the most vulnerable at its core and so ensures that “no one is left behind”.

Thailand believes that one crucial element to the realization of the right to development is the meaningful engagement of all stakeholders as well as the sharing of experience through strengthened international partnerships, particularly South-South cooperation.

Thailand continues to fully support the Special Rapporteur’s work. We are ready to contribute to the second area of focus, as identified in paragraph 35 of
the report, and would like to urge him to incorporate the best practices in the field of the right to development in his forthcoming reports.

Also, Thailand would like to see shared challenges addressed, particularly statistical capacities of States in the field of human rights, and the potential utilization of science, technology, and innovation.

Thank you.