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Department of International Organizations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Voluntary National Review VNR Report 2021 2 21 Scan to Listen



Voluntary National Review

2 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Content 04 06 Message from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Executive Summary 12 18 Goal 1 Goal 2 24 30 Goal 3 Goal 4 38 44 Goal 5 Goal 6 50 56 Goal 7 Goal 8

Target Performance Report 3 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 62 68 Goal 9 Goal 10 74 80 Goal 11 Goal 12 86 92 Goal 13 Goal 14 98 104 Goal 15 Goal 16 112 124 Goal 17 Summary of Thailand’s Challenges and the next step

4 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Message from the Minister Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Target Performance Report 5 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Thailand attaches great importance to sustainable development and action to achieve its agenda. Sustainable Development 2030 by adopting the the Great This is a guideline for holding the position of ASEAN chairman in Thailand in 2019, thus emphasizing on promoting sustainable development in order to create a people-centered ASEAN community that leaves no one behind. behind and heading towards the future Under the main concept of “Cooperation, cooperation, progress, sustainability” As Thailand is the chairman of experience and best practices to the ASEAN General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime international community. It also presents Minister has participated and made challenges and opportunities to take statements at various important sustainable further action to promote participation of development conferences during General all sectors and people within the country. Assembly of the United Nations 74th especially at the community level, as edition in New York City in September well as creating awareness and interest in 2019 Such as the Climate ActionSummit sustainable development in the society. and the SDG Summit, it demonstrates and community and the general public with with the international community in the hope that the report enhancing sustainability in all dimensions. This VNR will help spark ideas for all sectors, brainstorm, mobilize and think Vision on Partnership for Sustainability, as sustainable development further. to drive well as the Work Plan for the Promotion of the sustainable development of Thailand Initiatives on Complementary Partnerships together The Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the ASEAN Community Vision has also prepared this Thai VNR report 2025 and the Agenda. United Nations for the visually impaired. which can listen Sustainable Development 2030 to the report through the voice of the volunteers working together to record Thailandreportis“CommunityEmpowerment”, the sound which can open to read and sustainable development that adheres listen to reports in electronic form at to a people-centered development www.sep4sdgs.mfa.go.th approach. Build strength from the founda- tion and respond to the needs of people Don Pramudwinai in society. Minister of Foreign Affairs This report is not merely a

6 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Executive Summary Introduction go forward, sustainable” and promote 2020 is an important year for cooperation for sustainability in all dimen- Thailand to continue making progress in on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG implementing the Sustainable Develop- Summit) held during the General Assem- ment Agenda. 2030, and this is the fourth bly. 74th UN General Session in New York year that Thailand has committed to pro- City from September 24-25, 2019, which ducing a report on the results of reviewing is considered a review of the implemen- the implementation of the Sustainable tation. Leadership Agenda for Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 (2030 Agenda This year, Thailand has made progress in for Sustainable Development) National taking action to drive Voluntary National Review (VNR) to re- view progress. Apply the lessons learned The 17 Global Goals The level of and jointly determine the next steps in 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop- order to drive all Sustainable Develop- ment Goals (SDGs). At the regional level, Thailand has tried to put sustainability under the main topic “Collaboration to of all Sustainable Development Goals

Target Performance Report 7 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 into the 20-Year National Strategic Plan, an approach that leads to sustainable de- which is the development framework. velopment that is universal and practical. through a conceptual framework called - “SEP for SDGs” curity, wealth and sustainability goals. In addition, the Committee for Sustainable The VNR report is a national Development (Feb.), chaired by the Prime review of progress on the implementa- Minister. It is destined for the implemen- tion of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable tation of the Sustainable Development Development. voluntarily in Thailand It is Goals to be integrated and to maintain prepared annually and is part of the op- the highest level of political will. erational strategy. set by the Committee for Sustainable Development (Feb) by The Sustainable Development - the target list on key issues. This year, the VNR Thailand report focuses on the issues. ciency Economy Philosophy: SEP) in His Strengthening people and communities Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Tibet The report also underscores the impor- Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great tance of partnership cooperation between Borommanatbophit, which is the heart the public, private and civil society sec- approach.promote the adoption of the tors. as well as identifying challenges that need to be addressed and seeking ways Sustainable Development Goals; andIt is to work together in the next step

8 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 key points of the current trend towards commu- in the past year The imple- nity-based tourism. (Community-Based Tourism) to help improve the quality of for Sustainable Development is a big life and quality of local products. For step forward. especially in the areas of driving Goal 2 (SDG 2) and improving food poverty eradication, hunger eradication. security for people. The government has and enhancing health and well-being for assisted smallholders in planning their people of all ages. The Government has farming operations, improving the capac- made progress in driving Goal 1 (SDG 1) to ities of small producers and preventing tackle poverty by connecting karma with such as rice exceeding consumption and it. Build strength and increase income export requirements. for the successful for the community, with someone who implementation of the Sustainable De- wants to “Thai Niyom Sustainable OTOP velopment Goal 3 Nawatwithi Tourism Community”, which was launched in 2017, is a striking exam- (SDG 3), particularly in terms of ple. which is intended to take advantage ensuring good health and promoting well-being, is evident from the tangible

Target Performance Report 9 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 outcomes of projects such as the “First the government also places importance 1000 Days of Life Miracle Project”, which on developing quality teacher personnel point out that The government prioritizes to raise teaching standards. by providing preschoolers by promoting the protection teachers with more opportunities to learn and upbringing of children from concep- projects designed to develop teachers for tion until the age of 2. schools in remote areas, in addition to promoting new types of schools, includ- Progress in ensuring everyone ing Partnership schools (that allow local receives inclusive and equal quality businesses and civil society to participate education as part of the Sustainable in school management) Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) has been particularly remarkable this year. The gov- commitment to promoting gender equal- ernment has established the Education ity. protect and strengthen women has Equality Fund to support full education led to the development (draft) of the for disadvantaged students. In order to action plan on deal with the problem of access to formal education and declining attendance rates,

10 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Introduction to SDGs There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under one goal, there are 169 sub-goals called Targets, and to identify progress towards achieving them. A total of 232 indicators (244 total, but 12 duplicates) were developed to track the progress of that goal. The 17 goals consist of Goal 1 : Eradicate poverty Goal 2 : End hunger. Achieve food security and enhance nutrition for people of all ages. Goal 3 : Ensure healthy lives and promote welfare for everyone of all ages Goal 4 : Ensure that everyone has an inclusive and equal quality education. and support lifelong learning opportunities.

Target Performance Report 11 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 5 : Achieve gender equality and strengthening women and girls Goal 6 : Ensure water and sanitation are available to all and Sustainable management Goal 7 : Ensure access to modern, sustainable energy for everyone at an affordable price. cheap Goal 8 : Promote sustainable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full, productive employment and affordable employment for all. Goal 9 : Build a durable infrastructure. promote industrial development comprehensive and sustainable and promote innovation Goal 10 : Reduce inequality within the country and between countries Goal 11 : Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe Immune and sustainable Goal 12 : Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns Goal 13 : Goal 14 : Preserve and utilize the oceans, seas and marine resources Sustainable Development for Sustainable Development Goal 15 : Protect, restore and support sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. degradation and restore it again. and stop the loss of biodiversity Goal 16 : Promote a peaceful and inclusive society for sustainable development accessible to everyone justice and creating effective, responsible and inclusive institutions at every level Goal 17 : Strengthen operational mechanisms and restore partnerships. Global cooperation for sustainable development

12 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 1 poverty must run out

Target Performance Report 13 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 1 “Eliminating all forms of Result 1 pay attention to poverty in all areas (End This is in line with the 1st and 3rd poverty in all its forms Development Plans on environmentally everywhere) It’s the goal -friendly high-value economies and that too. poverty reduction sustainable livelihoods. both economically and The United Nations will work with poverty in other governments to create economic growth while ensuring health and ”dimensions as well natural balance. End poverty • Work with the private sector All styles in all areas to reduce air pollution. and create jobs that do not harm the environment Situation overview • Support the private sector United Nations Thailand is to conduct business without harming laying out a strategic framework for 5-6 the environment. and care about the years.front, which is named “United health of employees Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework” (UNSDCF) to Thailand in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is consistent with the main.

14 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 • Promote cultural tourism • Protect and protect the that does not harm the environment. natural habitat of living things. • Develop solutions for • Use data and collaborate to agriculture, such as using technology to reduce air, water and land pollution avoid the impacts of climate change. and improve waste management. • Encourage the private sector, • Strengthen communities and including banks, to work together to take care of underwater life by adapting, reduce environmental pollution. avoiding and reducing disaster risk. • Promote new and interesting Result 2 funding sources. reduce air pollution Build strength to people empowerment. better cope and recover from disasters. Consistent the 4th Development • Use more renewable energy Plan on Positive Factors for Changing to avoid environmental damage from Thailand economic activities.

Target Performance Report 15 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 1 Improve public services for better nutritionalhealthproblemsandpromote change in Thailand. new technologies in health services • Raise the level of education • Help those who live with the and skills for people of all ages. infection. • Increase the accessibility and HIV provides health care like quality of online teaching. everyone else. • Work together to solve the Promote the use of innovation to of problems caused by lifestyle diseases. people in society.

16 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 • Promote and drive innovation • Expanding social protection and technology accessible to all. to everyone in Thailand. • Promote innovation and • Ensuring that everyone is able technology in the government sector. social security. • Collaborate with people of all • Leave no one behind. in the Sustainable Development Goals. education, health and social protection • Promote innovation and • Ensure that women are treated technology to enhance food safety and nutrition. equally at home and at work. • Support local communities • Helping everyone without discrimination. and organizations to grow. and focus on those who were ultimately left Result 3 behind. This is in line with the 2nd next step Development Plan on Society of Good Governance, Rule of Law Opportunity for Change in Thailand. Ensure that everyone is treated equally and Community Development Goals They are not poor. • Ensure there is a system that allows employees, employers, civil society and the private sector to interact better. • Make the Institute of Law be transparent and accountable. Related goals

Target Performance Report 17 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 1

18 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 2 End hunger

Target Performance Report 19 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 2 “Fix problem starvation By 2030, the United Nations aims to reduce the number of hungry by developing the area people worldwide to 5% by 2025 and sustainable agriculture 3% by 2030. 2530) to build stability Chantanon Wannakhajorn, food come Agricultural Economics NESDB revealed that Thailand sustainable agricultural ”continuously areas to continually build fever, fowhere the at 9%, it is the source Develop sustainable of progress in developing sustainable agricultural areas agricultural areas according to the SDGs 2.4.1 indicator to the UN by 2030. this Situation overview said It must be reported as a percent- age of agricultural land. The United Nations (UN) requires countries with a hunger level greater than 5% to report the results of the indicator. Proportion of agricultural produced per total agricultural area (SDGs 2.4.1 Proportion of Agricultural Area under Productive and Sustainable Agriculture)

20 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 However, the Ministry of Agri- agriculture. The ASEAN Food Security culture and Cooperatives It has driven Information System (AFSIS) Project sustainable agriculture according to has joined forces with the Ministry the 12th National Economic and Social of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Development Plan by pushing forward (MAFF) of Japan. Implemented the the implementation of the SDGs indi- Supporting Agricultural Survey on cators. 2.4.1 Proportion of agricultural Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in produced. to the total agricultural ASEAN Region or the SAS-PSA project area of Thailand continuously. From with budget support from MAFFJapan 2017 - 2020, a total of 4.38 million rai To support and promote sustainable of sustainable agriculture has been agriculture survey according to SDGs promoted. 2.4.1 indicator and use it as a database for the government. and agricultural In 2017, by adding about 1.08 policy makers To become the center million rai of sustainable agriculture of information on food security in the and continuing until 2020, it has added ASEAN region. about 1.15 million rai of sustainable

Target Performance Report 21 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 2 “This year is a good start. and is an important step At the secretary Japan. Implement the SAS-PSA project, Polchet Tracho, Deputy Secre- which will conduct a pilot survey of tary-General of the NESDB said: The SDGs 2.4.1 in accordance with the FAO duration of the SAS-PSA project is 2 methodology and, importantly, will years and 8 months (26 March 2020 add questions related to COVID-19 to – 25 November 2022), which the 18th the survey.” AFSIS Focal Point Meeting has resolved to implement the project. The survey will have both economic dimensions. environmental dimension and social dimensions and will conduct a pilot survey project in Chachoengsao Province because it is a province that produces a variety of agricultural products, horticulture,

22 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 next step Sanam Chaikhet, Bang Nam Priao For the framework that will be Chachoengsao and Ban Pho used to determine the NESDB sample, The survey is expected to start farmers from the Central Farmer from January 2021, summarize the Registration Database (Farmer One) results of the operation and present will be used to consider and select a draft report on the survey results the sample farmers to conduct a pilot according to the Pilot Survey according survey by selecting districts with large to the SGDs 2.4.1 indicator of Thailand agricultural populations. The best of (In- country Wrap up Meeting) within Chachoengsao Province, consisting of May 2021. 5 districts, namely Phanom Sarakham, Related goals

Target Performance Report 23 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Before Covid-19 Stunting and wasting Food insecurity was among children arE already on the rise likely to worsen Population affected by moderate or severe 21.3% (144 million) food insecurity of children under 5 22.4% 25.9% ARE stunted 2014 2018 6.9% (47 million) Covid-19 Implications of children under 5 The pandemic is an additional ARE AFFECTED by wasting threat to food systems (2019) CLIMATE SHOCKS Small-scale food producers are hit hard by the crisis Conflict LOCUST comprising 40%–85% crisis of all food producers in developing regions COVID-19 Access more data and information on the indicators at https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/

24 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 3 well-being

Target Performance Report 25 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 3 “In the world situation initial requirement is only 10 million doses for the at-risk population was at COVID-19 patients unable to procure enough and timely continues to increase due to the high demand at that time steadily I can’t deny that When this new disease emerges The people giving hope National Vaccine Institute wants to ensure that Thailand has a quality and ”with the vaccine effective vaccine at the same time as other countries without having to wait Thailand team too long. because of course Whenever for the covid vaccine there is a COVID-19 vaccine, even if you there is a very high demand all over Situation overview the world. But waiting alone to buy a vac- “Based on the epidemiologi- cine from a manufacturer would not be recognize that this disease is not com- the solution to the crisis. Thailand has mon. It is inevitable that a pandemic learned from the experience when the will occur. It can be seen from the time, although the economic impact of the epidemic was not as severe COVID-19 and lower morbid- ity and mortality rates But we were disappointed by the queues to buy

26 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Department of Disease Control that what is called a “blueprint for access began to respond to the situation at to vaccines against COVID-19 of Thai airport disease checkpoints to pre- people” whose direction is to work vent the spread of the disease from in two areas: research, development January 3, 2020 until the closure of and production of vaccines in the the city before the Chinese New Year country parallel to the research and means (disease), it is a concern,” Dr. development cooperation with foreign Dr. Nakhon Premsri, director of the countries. to receive technology trans- National Vaccine Institute From the fers to produce them in the country vision and determination to provide Thailand with stability and sustainabil- At that time, it was the begin- ity through vaccines. Therefore, there ning of February. has been a collaboration between the institute and network partners at the In 2020, Dr. Ataya Limwattan- research institutes, universities, vaccine ayingyong attended a meeting with manufacturers, both governmental the World Health Organization in Ge- and private sectors, in order to create neva, Switzerland. The World Health Organization has issued a blueprint for the initial research and production

Target Performance Report 27 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 3 of a coronavirus vaccine for member for all parties to understand in which states. Therefore, the idea was to direction Thailand is going. how? to develop a blueprint for Thailand as avoid duplication of roles and duties a central agency that coordinates be- tween networks. The National Vaccine This crisis is an opportunity to Institute did not hesitate and invited speed up vaccine development, as stakeholders from many sectors to it can take up to eight years under which Nakorn called “Team Thailand” normal circumstances. But if using this and the agreement was signed on opportunity to develop the existing February 28. 2020 shortage and strengthen it It might be successful sooner. which Thailand has The work to develop and pro- a very high potential But what every- duce a vaccine for COVID-19 cannot one needs to understand in advance be held entirely by a single agency. is that vaccine development and re- Therefore, there must be an expedited to whether it will be successful or not. plan and network partners to come But if this is successful, the country will together. This plan is like a road map have a vaccine that can be developed

28 Target Performance Report Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 and manufactured locally and if not Thailand can do it. which at that time successful it will build capacity and the knowledge of this disease, we still readiness for the next pandemic. The have very little.” biological laboratory experience will be more ready. next step Dr. Nakorn said, “The National Specialized personnel are scat- Vaccine Institute has been in place for tered at universities with a reputation But previously we worked under the for being recognized in the world and Department of Disease Control. Have a network that the Vaccine Institute. a working network and know who has have been working together for a long what potential At the end of January, time So these parties did not happen I called Prof. Dr. Kiat. Rakrungtham overnight. Even some of the more at Chulalongkorn University to ask advanced countries in the region do if we have the potential to develop not have domestic research and devel- vaccines So it was answered that the opment programs for COVID vaccines. team could develop a DNA and MRNA vaccine. then contacted Mahidol which For research and development is developing a lethal vaccine (inacti- of the COVID-19 vaccine in Thailand vated vaccine) is an extension of the now of Chulalongkorn and Bionet Asia Zika virus vaccine development. When is in the process of experimenting with I know that both departments of the monkeys. which each type of vaccine university can continue research. and (Platforms) will take different time to the company Bionet - Asia He said that develop. Because the most important there is interest in developing a DNA thing is safety and the ability to stimu- vaccine, we are beginning to hope that late immunity. Related goals

Target Performance Report 29 Voluntary Sustainable Development of the Year 2021 Goal 3

Department of International Organizations Ministry of Foreign Affairs 443 Sri Ayutthaya Road, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Telephone 0 2203 5000 ext. 12171 Fax 0 2643 5080 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]