Anutin urges UN reform, trust and peaceful dispute settlement
At UNGA81, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for UN reform, a stronger voice for all countries and peace efforts involving Palestine, Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian relations.
- Thailand's Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, called for the reform of the United Nations during an address to its General Assembly, advocating for a stronger voice for all countries.
- He argued that restoring trust in multilateralism is essential for reform, suggesting it could be built initially among smaller groups before being expanded.
- Anutin also stressed the importance of peaceful dispute settlement through constructive cooperation, referencing Thailand's approach to relations with Cambodia and its support for reconciliation in Myanmar.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for reform of the United Nations, a stronger voice for all countries and renewed confidence in multilateralism as he addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday (September 24).
Delivering Thailand’s statement during the General Debate at 5.30pm local time in the General Assembly Hall, Anutin spoke under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”, against a backdrop of rapid global change.
He noted that the United Nations was marking its 80th anniversary and argued that reform should begin with trust, which could not be imposed. Trust, he suggested, could initially be built among smaller groups and gradually broadened, allowing countries that had previously lacked a voice to be heard.
For Thailand, Anutin argued, peace meant more than the absence of war and also required constructive cooperation.
His address covered conflicts and disputes involving Palestine, Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian relations.
On relations between Thailand and Cambodia, he emphasised bilateral dialogue and stressed that the process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerned maritime delimitation only.
He also reaffirmed Thailand’s support for peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
Anutin also highlighted Thailand’s cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to prevent and suppress drug-related crime, alongside cooperation across sectors to tackle online crime.
“A rules-based international order and the participation of all countries in shaping our common future will be essential to restoring trust,” he stressed, calling on countries to work together to rebuild confidence and deliver outcomes that benefit people.
The address concluded with applause, while representatives from several countries approached the prime minister afterwards to offer their congratulations.
