Welcome to the United Nations
Watch video of panel where the VNR was presented
Main Messages
Thailand attaches great importance to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly within the context of the Decade of Action for the SDGs. Since the last official submission in 2017, Thailand has made significant strides across all 17 SDGs. However, as with other countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted our economy and society, and hampered our efforts to achieve the SDGs.
The achievement of the SDGs, especially within the context of the Decade of Action and COVID-19, will not come without drastic transformative change and multi-stakeholder partnerships. This edition of the Voluntary National Review highlights Thailand’s application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as our homegrown approach that focuses on human empowerment, resilience, and environmental conservation, along with the application of technology and local wisdom in addressing development challenges and promoting recovery efforts. This VNR underlines the importance of a whole-of-society approach and the interconnectedness of the SDGs, showcasing key examples of the role of the private sector, civil society, academia, youth networks, and ordinary citizens in advancing the SDGs at the national level. The VNR itself has provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage and discuss SDG implementation.
The SDG landscape in Thailand is well-established. The SDGs have been integrated into the 20-Year National Strategy, which is the country’s main development framework. The National Committee for Sustainable Development (CSD), chaired by the Prime Minister, represents the central mechanism to advance all 17 Goals. The CSD has designated government focal points for each of the 169 targets, while its four sub-committees provide the driving force for SDG implementation, application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for the SDGs, monitoring and evaluation, and environmental assessments. Thailand’s SDGs Roadmap provides the blueprint to move forward in six key areas, namely, policy integration and coherence, enabling mechanisms, partnerships, pilot projects, monitoring and evaluation, and awareness-raising.
Key highlights from this VNR cover examples from all sectors. Thailand has achieved considerable success in eradicating extreme poverty as part of SDG1, and is committed to developing a national multi-dimensional poverty index. Projects aimed at improving nutrition for school children and food security boost progress on SDG2. With regards to SDG3, the country’s Universal Health Coverage and Village Health Volunteers played an integral role in the effective management of the COVID-19 crisis. On SDG4, efforts have been expanded to provide financial support for poor students through the use of digital tools and the Education Equality Fund (EEF). Gender equality initiatives, including efforts to address domestic violence, are the cornerstone of Thailand’s implementation of SDG5.
The highlight on SDG6 is the increased access to clean water sources and sanitation. The development of a SMART Grid is underway to increase energy efficiency in accordance with SDG7. Workforce capacities are continuing to be strengthened to correspond to the needs of the global economy as part of SDG8. The promotion of a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model through the development of sustainable infrastructure will advance SDG9. To support the achievement of SDG10, the Government has applied the Thai People Map and Analytics Platform to help identify vulnerable groups who require support, while projects such as Baan Mankong (Stable Home) support impoverished communities to achieve secure and sustainable housing as part of SDG11.
On SDGs 12, 13, 14, and 15, Thailand has advanced actions on climate change and sustainable consumption and production, strengthened efforts to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, and increased stakeholder engagement on forest area management. Thailand’s implementation of SDG16 centres on promoting fair and equal access to justice for all, and multi-stakeholder cooperation on human rights promotion, as well as anti-trafficking and anti-corruption efforts. Lastly, Thailand has forged effective partnerships among all sectors in line with SDG17, including civil society, private sector networks, and academia. Beyond our borders, we have expanded our role as a development partner to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices with neighbouring countries and countries in other regions.
These are some examples of Thailand’s SDG implementation. We aim to build on the momentum of this VNR in ensuring a whole-of-society approach as we move forward. Together with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as our pathway, Thailand is confident that balanced and sustainable development for all is within reach.
