Bangkok, 25 November 2019 – The SEC reaffirmed its cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in driving towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with an emphasis on support for businesses to consider respect for human rights in their operation, at the meeting with UNDP resident representative at the SEC Office Building on 18 November 2019.
During the meeting with Mr. Renaud Meyer, UNDP resident representative to Thailand who has begun his term since 26 March 2019, SEC Secretary-General Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol reaffirmed SEC’s readiness to cooperate with UNDP in driving towards Sustainable Development Goals within 2030, and to implement the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP) the first phase 2019 – 2022. The NAP will further demonstrate the SEC role in promoting and supporting the business sector’s consideration of human rights in a tangible way and building international recognition of Thailand’s SDG development.
SEC Chief also informed UNDP of the upcoming launch of Thailand Responsible Business Network (TRBN), which is a collaborative network jointly initiated by SEC, the Thai listed Companies Association and seven other allies under the Capital Market Governance Promotion Initiative in Celebration of His Majesty the King’s Coronation. The TRBN launch will be held on 2 December 2019 and presided over by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Established in 1966, UNDP Thailand Office plays a role in promoting national development and capability of Thai organizations to achieve the SDGs through various initiatives such as poverty mitigation, sustainable tourism, preservation of biological diversity, promotion of transparency of government procurement, and promotion of public service innovations. UNDP Thailand plans to lay out a cooperative framework with SEC to push forward the SDG implementation and the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights in Thailand.