Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

H.E. Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

General Debate Item 10

at the 36^th Session of the Human Rights Council

on Thursday 28 September 2017, at Room XX, Palais des Nations

Mr. Vice President,

Technical Cooperation is central to the Council’s credibility and effectiveness.

We should “do better” to make Agenda Item 10 a more dynamic platform for a constructive dialogue and sharing of experiences, including best practices and lessons learned on the ground. We can “do better” to make technical assistance more demand- driven and responsive to the needs and requests of States.

Technical cooperation in the field of human rights can help States harness the complementarities and mutually reinforcing linkages between human rights and the SDGs. For Thailand, this is not a question of which is a prerequisite of which. We simply believe that the implementation of human right obligations and the people-centered 2030 Agenda complement each other in both directions.

Thailand attaches importance to multi-stakeholder engagement, including those who are the most vulnerable and the furthest behind. Thailand has revised our strategies and plans relating to the rights of older persons, children, women and girls, and persons with disabilities to support the implementation of the SDGs.

Thailand recognizes shared challenges in the fields of human rights and the SDGs. Such challenges include strengthening statistical capacities of States, promoting the use of science, technology and innovation, among others.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.