Prime Minister Srettha called upon the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to aid in the exploration of inventive strategies for advancing sustainable development throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This plea was articulated during his speech at the 80th ESCAP session, which focused on Harnessing Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok.
PM Srettha underscored the region's liveliness and dynamism while also pointing out that the current path won't lead to the fulfillment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) until 2062. He emphasized the necessity for immediate, transformative action, highlighting the pivotal role of digital innovation in driving this change.
The Prime Minister, hailing from Bangkok, further advocated for digital innovations to be inclusive and genuinely supportive of sustainable development. He put forth two strategies to efficiently leverage the potential of digital innovation in advancing regional sustainable development.
The 62-year-old Prime Minister stressed the significance of empowering individuals and communities through digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a people-centered and inclusive approach to digital innovation. He noted that several countries in the region, Thailand included, rely on agriculture-based economies and can employ digital tools to ensure food security for all.
PM Srettha suggested that digital technology should be used to encourage agricultural innovation, which would help ensure a sustainable food system, climate-smart farming, and environmental sustainability. He mentioned that the Thai government had recently initiated the Ignite Thailand initiative, focusing on eight key areas, including the digital economy, future mobility, financial technology, wellness, and medical technologies, with digital innovation being the primary driving force.
While highlighting the imperative to enhance the utilization of digital innovation for sustainable development, the Thai prime minister also underscored the importance of mitigating risks and potential adverse effects. This entails tackling cybersecurity threats, narrowing the digital divide, and fostering a robust cooperation framework for ensuring a secure, equitable digital future for all in the region, according to reports.
PM Srettha emphasized ESCAP's crucial role as an engaged stakeholder in integrating digital technologies to advance sustainable development. He affirmed Thailand's readiness to bolster collective endeavors aimed at making a substantial impact in the region.