17 August 2020, Thailand – The Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Thailand and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to empower parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members to play a significant role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Thailand, to achieve the Agenda 2030.

The MoU was signed between Mr. Sorasak Pienvej, Secretary General, for the Secretariat of the House of Representatives and Mr. Renaud Meyer, Resident Representative, for UNDP at an official event organized in the Parliament Building. The MoU will encourage the two bodies to cooperate not only to enhance the knowledge and capacities of the parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members around SDGs, but also promote an exchange of knowledge by facilitating interactions between the House of Representatives and other development actors on issues related to the SDGs.

The event included the presence of Mr. Pakpoom Mingmitr, Chief of Secretary - General of the House of Representatives Division Acting the office of the ASEAN Community Center who offered his opening remarks. He highlighted that, “The cooperation between the two organisations will enhance the knowledge and competency of the parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members to drive the Thai Parliament to institutionalize the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Moreover, Ms. Gita Sabharwal, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand, also offered her congratulatory message at the event. Speaking on the importance of the MoU, she expressed, “Today’s signing ceremony institutionalizes an important partnership between the Parliament of Thailand and UNDP, creating an avenue for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members to play a significant role in the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is critical today as we recover from the COVID19 pandemic. I would like to commend and congratulate the Secretary General of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Thailand, in maximizing the contribution of the Parliament, in a whole-of-government approach to advancing the SDGs.”

Mr. Sorasak Pienvej reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment towards the SDGs. He expressed hope that, “The cooperation will promote the Parliament as the people's representative to develop working procedures resulting from the exchange of information, knowledge, techniques, and international practices with UNDP to support the work of the parliament in response to the needs of citizens.”

Mr. Renaud Meyer, echoing the importance of the Agenda 2030 and the MoU that was signed, stated, “This MOU will be instrumental to ensure the objectives and values of Agenda 2030 and of the Global Goals are better reflected in the legislative and budgetary functions of the Parliament by working closely with the General Secretariat but also selected standing committees and strengthen technical capacities as needed. ”

After the signing of the MoU, the Resident Representative presented a handbook for the parliamentarians in the Thai language on the “Parliament’s Role in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals” to the Secretary General at the event. The English version of the book was originally published by the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, UNDP, and the Islamic Development Bank. The Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Thailand and UNDP jointly translated the book into Thai and adapted it to the Thai parliamentary context. This book is designed as an easy to use resource that can help parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members play an effective role in implementing the SDGs. It introduces Agenda 2030 and also lists good practices and tools from around the world.

This initiative is geared towards the commitment to ensure that no one is left behind, while safeguarding the progress achieved towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information, please contact:

Komsak Boonpleung, Parliament Officer, Office of the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Division, and The Parliamentary ASEAN Community Center, the Secretariat of the House of Representatives acc.parliament@gmail.com | Tel: +66(0)2-357-3100 ext. 3211

Aticha Chaivichian, Project Coordinating Associate, UNDP Thailand aticha.chaivichian@undp.org | Mobile : +66(0)86-416-5822