Thailand creates new theme to promote sustainability in ASEAN

ASEAN Chair, Thailand, has created the theme "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability" to promote the "Sustainability of Things (SOT)," which means sustainability in all dimensions. Thailand has recognised that enhancing environmental sustainability is linked to sustainable social and economic development. It has adopted measures to conserve, restore, and manage its natural resources and environment in a more sustainable manner, and included these elements in the country's 20-Year National Strategy Framework. Thailand has launched the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Roadmap on Mitigation to ensure that it meets the targets on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 25% by 2030. According to a press release, Thailand managed to reduce the emission of 45.72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide last year. Approximately 24 hectares of coral reefs and 880 hectares of mangrove forest were "rehabilitated" as well, and "the use of over 435 million plastic bags was reduced since 2017". As the ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation which promotes closer coordination between ASEAN and the UN, Thailand will also be establishing the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue in 2019. The Centre will be funded by the Royal Thai Government and will link up with similar centres in ASEAN member states to form a network of regional development efforts. In efforts to address problems faced in the marine environment, Thailand has set up a platform for discussions and collaboration. A technical working group meeting among ASEAN members was held in November 2017 while the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris and ASEM High-level Meeting on Marine Sustainability were held on 5 March 2019 and 7 to 8 March 2019, respectively. Thailand is advancing partnership for sustainability by starting with environmental sustainability, and will expand to other areas throughout the year. According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand's commitment towards sustainable development is "steadfast", and is "committed" to do more. The agenda will be “particularly important” during its ASEAN Chairmanship and Thailand looks forward to working with colleagues in ASEAN and beyond in a global partnership.