DON PRAMUDWINAI, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, spotlighting the global food crisis, urged States to strengthen multilateral action among like-minded partners, United Nations agencies, WTO and international institutions to address the crisis.  “It is vital to keep our global supply chains open for seamless cross-border flows of food, fertilizers, and essential goods,” he noted.  He also welcomed the Black Sea Grain Initiative and underscored the importance of international cooperation in responding to new global challenges.  To promote sustainable development, his country adopted a Bio-Circular-Green economy model to achieve a more balanced development in its post-COVID-19 recovery phase.  The model uses science, technology and innovation to encourage resource optimization for environmentally friendly economic growth.  He also reiterated Thailand’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065 in its efforts to address climate change.  Provision of adequate support will enable the country to increase its nationally determined contribution target to 40 per cent.  “This is not an empty promise,” he emphasized.  Recalling the pledges made by developed countries, he urged them to provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries so that they may tackle climate-related challenges.

His country also provided humanitarian assistance to Myanmar bilaterally and with the assistance of ASEAN, he reported, noting it donated more than 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and financially supported the activities of UNICEF, WHO, WFP and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in that country.  He expressed support for the constructive role of ASEAN, underscoring that the time-tested practice of the bloc on consolation, cooperation and consensus makes it best placed to help Myanmar. “Close regional cooperation can complement the multilateral system and reinforce the global agenda,” he said, stressing that in 2022 his country will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting under the main theme “Open. Connect. Balance.”.  That theme represents the willingness to embrace every opportunity, connect in all dimensions and balance in all aspects.

Turning to the Ukraine crisis, he drew attention to the possibility of a breakthrough in November.  In three different cities in the South Asia region world leaders would be assembling at the ASEAN Summit, Group of 20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.  This could be “a golden opportunity” for all stakeholders in the Ukraine crisis to meet, he said, adding that these events could serve as the most appropriate platforms for talks to provide a possible “exit” from the high-tension global crisis in Ukraine.  He added that the United Nations, as a guardian of peace and stability, could join in any juncture to add value to these endeavours, adding his wish for the parties to take advantage of this “golden opportunity”.