Thailand leading the battle against global poverty

In publicising the sad truth that the world’s 62 richest individuals now boast wealth equivalent to that of 3.6 billion people – the “poorest” half of the world’s population – your editorial invites a comment inspired by the sustainable-development goals recently agreed upon by all United Nations members. “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” contains 17 goals and 169 targets and was adopted by consensus on September 25. 

Goal 1 on the agenda is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere and, by 2030, to eradicate the extreme poverty of those who live on less than $1.25 (Bt45) a day. 

In keeping with that aim, Thailand has assumed this year’s chairmanship of the Group of 77 plus China – the largest negotiating forum of developing countries at the UN – under the guiding principle “From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development”. This theme will serve as the driving force in negotiations for the implementation of the 2030 agenda, which makes eradication of poverty an absolute priority and demands robust efforts at all levels to achieve this humanistic objective. 

Ioan Voicu