Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a keynote address at the opening of the 82nd Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on 20 April 2026. The session is held under the theme: “Leaving no one behind: Advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific.”

The premier emphasized that amid global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and tightening financial conditions, which are making the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) increasingly difficult, the world urgently needs inclusive development. Building a “society for all ages,” he noted, is not merely a policy goal but a critical strategic mandate.

For Asia and the Pacific, a region facing rapid demographic shifts, including both an aging population and millions of young people entering the labor market, he stressed the need for a society that values every stage of life, where all citizens can thrive in a changing economy through lifelong learning, healthy aging, and equitable access to technology and social protection systems.

In Thailand, the government is advancing the principle of “people-centered development,” prioritizing investments in quality aging, decent work, and the expansion of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system to ensure that all citizens can live with dignity and security.

The Prime Minister highlighted three key areas to accelerate progress toward the SDGs:
1) Stronger political commitment;
2) Increased financing, including private investment and innovative financial instruments; and
3) Closer cooperation among governments, businesses, and civil society, with ESCAP serving as a vital hub for sharing best practices.

He also noted that Thailand has proudly hosted ESCAP sessions since 1949, reaffirming its role as a platform for regional dialogue and practical implementation. The country remains committed to translating shared regional goals into tangible outcomes for the benefit of all.

The 82nd Session of the Commission, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, runs from 20 to 24 April 2026. It serves as the region’s premier platform for discussions on demographic trends, inclusive employment, and the economic empowerment of women and older persons.