Thailand calls for "strong global partnership" for its development goals

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) - Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn of Thailand told the United Nations General Assembly Saturday that the southeast Asian country needs strong global partnership to achieve its development goals.

"Development must transform people's lives and open the door to a better future for all. Development must empower the individual, communities and societies," Patimapragorn told delegates gathered at the Assembly's General Debate, taking place at UN Headquarters in New York.

Citing the Sufficiency Economy philosophy of His Majesty the King of Thailand, Patimapragorn noted that the Thai model for development sought to draw on the inner strength of each community and build resilience from the grassroots level up. But, he cautioned, "no nation can be an island of prosperity unto itself."

"More than ever, we need strong global partnership, whether to realize the post-2015 development agenda or to meet common challenges."

Pointing to the multidimensional ills facing the world, from the Ebola crisis to the crises in the Middle East, he reminded the Assembly that human security was about "human dignity, human rights, equity, equality, social justice, and the promise of a better future for all" and should thus be "at the heart of sustainable development" measures enacted by the international community.

"If we all do our part, then we can make the world better and safer," stated Patimapragorn.

Turning to the domestic political situation in Thailand, Patimapragorn regretted "the chain of unfortunate events" that ultimately led to the political crisis of May 2014 but reassured the Assembly of his country's commitment to democratic ideals.

"Thailand is now going through a period of transition," he admitted. "We remain fully committed to democracy and human rights. And we know that we cannot go against the tide of democracy."

The Thai official also reminded delegates of his country's enduring obligation to the global community through its participation in a number of peacekeeping missions spanning from Timor-Leste to the coast of Somalia.

"Whether it is democracy, development or peace," Patimapragorn continued, "we all must assume our responsibilities because we are, after all, a family of United Nations."