Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has vowed to adopt the sufficiency economy philosophy to push ahead with implementing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He was speaking after attending a ceremony held at the UN's headquarters in New York City on Tuesday at which the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) was formally handed over to Thailand.
The UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was approved late last year by UN member states for implementation and to deal with important matters such as handling national disasters, finding funding for development projects and mitigating the impact of climate change, said Mr Don.
These missions are crucial parts of the multilateral cooperation that will provide an opportunity for Thailand to win admiration and be viewed more positively, he said.
The minister also said that while working as chair of the G77, Thailand hopes to prove to other nations that the sufficiency economy philosophy will be an ideal solution to sustain development in all dimensions in other countries.
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The philosophy has proven be to a success in Thailand for decades, he said.
Mr Don previously assured G77 members at the ceremony that the sufficiency economy concept can be applied to all sectors and at all levels, starting with the individual. It can also be used as a means to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"After taking up this position, there are challenges and a lot of work that is highly complicated for us to get done. [I've] assured other nations that Thailand would work to its utmost capacity," he told reporters.
Currently, a national committee for sustainable development has been formed to oversee all these matters and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the new committee to report on progress with its work every month, said Mr Don.
If Thailand can perform its task well, the country will win praise from other countries, which should help improve Thailand's reputation in all aspects, said Mr Don, reasserting that the Thai government would work to its full capability.
He urged all parties in Thailand to cooperate with the government to achieve this important task.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha accepted to act as chairman of the Group of 77 when he attended the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting last September.
The cabinet on Wednesday approved a project to support the Foreign Ministry's role in leading the G77, said an informed source.
The cabinet initially approved a budget of 201.9 million baht to fund this mission from November last year until January 2017, said the same source.
Wednesday's cabinet meeting was informed of the five core tasks to support the Foreign Ministry and the rest of the Thai government's role as chair of the G77. These are:
- to ensure that Thailand efficiently chairs the G77 and takes this opportunity to build a good reputation and win trust from other countries;
- to protect and promote economic and development benefits;
- to promote the sufficiency economy philosophy as an option for achieving sustainable development;
- to prepare Thailand for the possibility of acquiring more important positions in international forums; and
- to promote knowledge and understanding among various sectors in the country about the role of Thailand as G77 chair.