Bangkok, Thailand, 14 May 2018 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, today addressed the opening of the 74th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) under this year’s theme “Inequality in the Era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

 

In his remarks, the President stressed that “inequality is still a part of our world… and we need to address it. Not just because it is the right thing to do… But also because it is a smart move for us all. “

He noted that, despite overall progress, nearly 400 million people remain trapped in poverty, and said that, to be able to address inequality, we must first understand what drives it.

The President commended ESCAP on embracing the diversity of the Asia Pacific region, adding, “It brings together various priorities – from climate change to connectivity. And it offers a platform for sharing lessons learned, and mobilising support.”

He also encouraged leaders to keep their promise of leaving no one behind, declaring, “We have all the tools we need to keep this promise. We have the plan. And we have the framework.”

While in Bangkok, President Lajčák met with Thai Government officials, the United Nations Country Team, and representatives of the Asia Pacific Regional Coordination Mechanism, which comprises 34 United Nations regional and subregional entities and affiliated offices.

The President commended the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, on Thailand’s active role in the United Nations. They discussed a wide range of topics, including United Nations reform processes, and Sustainable Development Goals.

In a meeting with representatives of the Asia Pacific Regional Coordination Mechanism and the United Nations Country Team in Thailand, he was briefed on the challenges and opportunities related to the work of the different agencies on the ground, the partnership between the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the country, relations between Thailand and the United Nations, and regional issues.

In the afternoon, the President visited the Golden Jubilee Museum of Agriculture to learn more about modern agriculture in Thailand and the “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy” Thailand’s approach to development, which promotes sustainability.

The President left Thailand for Slovakia on 14 May.

 

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Katharina Kandt, Communications Adviser to the President of the General Assembly, +1 917 244 3890; kandt@un.org