Thai PM Calls for UN Reform at General Assembly
Thailand's PM called for UN reform at the General Assembly in New York, urging equitable representation and greater voice for smaller nations to rebuild trust in the multilateral system amid global instability.
At 4:30 p.m. on September 24 (New York local time, 11 hours behind Thailand) at the United Nations headquarters, Prime Minister Anuthong Charnweerakul and Foreign Minister met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. At 5:30 p.m. in the General Assembly Hall on the second floor of the UN Assembly building in New York, the Prime Minister delivered a general debate address under the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All" at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, reaffirming Thailand's position on UN reform to increase equitable representation for all nations and restore confidence in the multilateral system amid rapid global changes.
The Prime Minister noted that the United Nations was founded 80 years ago, with Thailand as a member state, and called for UN reform beginning with trust and mutual confidence that cannot be imposed. Trust can be built by organizing smaller groups into larger ones, giving voice to nations that have previously been unheard. He emphasized that peace is essential—defined by Thailand not merely as the absence of war but as creative cooperation. He addressed global conflicts including Palestine, the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute resolution through bilateral negotiations under UNCLOS for maritime boundary determination, and Thailand's support for peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar, particularly regarding Thai-Cambodian relations.
The Prime Minister highlighted Thailand's efforts with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to prevent and suppress drug trafficking, and international cooperation in combating online crime. He stated that international order based on rules and the participation of all nations in determining a shared future are essential conditions for restoring confidence, and called on all nations to work together to build trust and produce outcomes beneficial to the people. The address received applause from various countries, with representatives from multiple nations congratulating Thailand.
