The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), which is the state planning unit, has joined forces with private firms to help the government achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs).
According to NESDC chairman Sanit Aksornkoae, the council recently established a subcommittee to promote SDGs, with more than 10 companies including PTT Plc, Dow Chemical, Bangchak Corporation Plc, SCG (Thailand) Co and Charoen Pokphand Group participating.
The subcommittee held its first meeting in late April, with private firms agreeing to reinforce the public sector in ongoing efforts to upgrade Thailand to achieve the SDGs.
The private sector also agreed to promote the circular economy and share its successful projects with small and medium enterprises and communities.
The companies also pledged to help the government promote alternative energy, green packaging, reforestation and upgrading skills for people in communities as well as other projects.
Mr Sanit said stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors will make the efforts to promote SDGs more powerful.
He said the Covid-19 outbreaks had a drastic impact on social and economic development.
The coronavirus also poses stiffer challenges for members to achieve the SDGs as planned.
The SDGs were established in 2015 by the UN General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030.
The 17 SDGs are: zero poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reducing inequality; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace and justice; and strong institutions.
The NESDC reported from 2016 to 2020, Thailand achieved between 74% and 100% of the SDGs on zero poverty; quality education; gender equality; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; and inequality reduction thanks to economic stability, accelerated development of infrastructure, higher investment in R&D, and attempts to reduce inequality.
The think tank said Thailand met between 50% and 73% of the goals on hunger eradication; good health and well-being; clean water and sanitation; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; life below water or natural resources; peace and justice; and strong institutions.