Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

H.E. Mr. Sek Wannamethee

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

General Debate Item 10: Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building

At the 39^th Session of Human Rights Council

Thursday, 27 September 2018, Time 12.00-15.00 hrs

Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Mr. Vice President,

International cooperation is indispensable in supporting national efforts to promote and protect human rights. Several human rights treaties underline the need for international cooperation to support States in the fulfilment of their obligations.

To this end, the Council’s work on technical cooperation is of utmost importance.

Technical cooperation should not only be limited to assistance and capacity-building programs. The Council should also provide greater space for an open and meaningful dialogue among States, UN agencies and other stakeholders, especially practitioners who work on the ground. The sharing of practical experiences enables States to learn from one another and improve their policies and implementation.

This constructive and thematic approach to the discussion under agenda item 10 helps create an environment that inspires trust and sows the seeds for meaningful interactions among all stakeholders. 

Regional efforts are also vital to addressing human rights challenges, especially those that are transnational in nature, such as expanding safe and legal pathways for migration, protecting the rights of migrants and combatting trafficking in persons.

For Thailand, our efforts to advance our national agenda on human rights are supported at the regional level by ASEAN. To cite one example, the ASEAN Center for Active Ageing and Innovation will soon be established in Thailand. The Center will, through regional partnership, contribute to the promotion of human rights of older persons through active and heathy ageing.

Thank you.