Anutin sets out to promote Thailand as ASEAN trade hub at UNGA81 as country marks 80 years of UN membership
Anutin’s September 24 UN address will set out Thailand’s trade and energy ambitions as the country marks 80 years of UN membership
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is using a three-day program at the UN to strengthen investor confidence and promote Thailand as a regional trade and economic hub.
- The plan includes meetings with national leaders, private-sector representatives, and investors to highlight Thailand's capabilities as a manufacturing and distribution base.
- Anutin's address to the UN General Assembly on September 24 will focus on Thailand's ambition to become an ASEAN economic hub and its readiness for the energy transition.
- As part of the push, he announced Thailand's readiness to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to improve its international standing.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in New York on September 22, 2026, that he would use his three-day programme to strengthen investor confidence and promote Thailand as a regional trade and economic hub. Anutin spoke to reporters at 11.20am New York time on September 22 after attending the 9am opening of the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) at UN headquarters. New York was 11 hours behind Thailand.
Anutin said his New York programme would provide opportunities to meet national leaders, private-sector representatives, business councils and investors. The aim was to build confidence in Thailand’s readiness for investment and reinforce its value as an economic partner.
Thailand was already well known internationally, Anutin said, but the investment promotion programme would underline the country’s capabilities as a manufacturing and distribution base.
World leaders and other prominent figures attending this year’s meeting included:
- António Guterres, United Nations secretary-general
- Donald J. Trump, president of the United States
- Tarique Rahman, prime minister of Bangladesh
- Dasho Tshering Tobgay, prime minister of Bhutan
- Nikol Pashinyan, prime minister of Armenia
- Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
- Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
Anutin’s September 24 address to focus on trade and energy
Anutin said his September 24 address to the UN General Assembly would present Thailand’s future direction, including its ambition to become a trade and economic hub for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The speech would also cover adaptation to changing global rules and the energy transition, for which he said Thailand was ready.
Anutin also said Thailand was ready to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Membership would strengthen the country’s international standing and help it cooperate with other nations on an equal footing, he said.
Thailand marks 80 years of UN membership
Thailand’s participation in UNGA81 comes in the year marking the 80th anniversary of its United Nations membership. The occasion provides an opportunity for Thailand to strengthen its international role as a middle power.
Thailand also aims to advance cooperation across the UN’s three pillars: peace and security, human rights and sustainable development, according to the Foreign Ministry’s briefing on the visit.
