Read the op-ed from The Nation of Mr. Martin Hart-Hansen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Thailand to understand the implementation of BIOFIN here

At the fifth Responsible Business Forum, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today called on business leaders to take a greater role in the new development era in order to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Forum, opened in Singapore by UNDP and Global Initiatives, aims to address a sea change in the nature of development funding by creating a new partnership for sustainable development.

While foreign funding (Official Development Assistance) is still essential for the development system, it now accounts for 0.7 percent of total financial flows in Asia-Pacific (down from 13.5 percent in 1990), while domestic public and private finance accounts for 89 percent, according to a UNDP report launched last month.

09 March 2017 Bangkok, 09 March- Today, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark met with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Don Pramudwinai on the sidelines of UNDP’s bi-annual Regional Management Meeting hosted in the Thai capital. They discussed the historic collaboration between UNDP and the Royal Thai Government in working toward sustainable development. In the meeting Ms. Clark expressed the UN’s recognition of the country’s human development successes over the years and that UNDP looks forward to transforming its Country Office into a policy and knowledge hub in ways commensurate with the existing and emerging needs of Thailand as an upper middle income country, including exiting the so-called middle income trap. Ms. Clark indicated UNDP’s interest in collaborating with Thai stakeholders through a variety of innovative ways including South-South cooperation that showcases experience from locally-relevant, sustainable development approaches. Such approaches can be powerful learning tools and generate further sustainable development ideas. She noted that South-South cooperation features prominently in UNDP’s approach to knowledge-creation and knowledge-sharing. Thanking the Foreign Minister for Thailand’s ongoing and very conscientious financial contributions to UNDP both locally and at the headquarters level, Ms. Clark expressed her hope that such support will continue to support UNDP’s work in Thailand, including its envisaged policy and innovation collaboration. Contact information and Media Inquiries Ms. Nathanik Klaklangsmorn, nathanik.klaklangsmorn@undp.org

22 April, Bangkok – Three days of celebration for BIOFIN Day kicked off today to raise awareness about conserving Thailand’s biodiversity and introduce the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) to various stakeholders engaged in strengthening biodiversity management in the country.

Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Department of Disease Control (DDC), under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), have consistently worked together with networks of academics, people living with HIV (PLHIV) and civil society organizations (CSOs), to develop and implement policies for the health security of PLHIV and to ensure that all Thai citizens have equitable access to quality antiretroviral therapy (ART) services. This book represents the consolidated knowledge and experience related to the policies and management of universal access to ART in Thailand. It aims to serve as an important tool to share knowledge with and advocate the policy of universal health coverage (UHC) to policymakers in the other developing nations that are working towards achieving UHC inclusive of the continuum of HIV and AIDS care services.

Charoen Pokphand Group (CPG) contributes US$50,000 to inaugurate the Social Innovation for Development Center, operated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group, says, “CPG has supported US$50,000 for UNDP as an initial budget to fund the promotion of Thai youths and start-ups to create a social innovation for development, in line with the CPG’s sustainability policy and the SDGs. To mark this cooperation between the two sides, CP signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UNDP today (March 10, 2016).” “CPG has operated its business by adhering to the 3-benefit philosophy which means the benefits should go to ‘first, the country where we invest, the society where we operate, and finally, the company’ for a long time. Moreover, it has attached importance to the 17 SDGs, which cover social, economic and environmental dimensions. CPG is pleased to work with UNDP in Thailand in order to promote activities for sustainable development” Mr. Supachai said while witnessing the MoU signing. The signing ceremony of the MoU to push the SDGs ahead is held at Central Grand At Central World Hotel. Noppadol Dej-udom, CPG’s Vice President for Sustainability, Good Governance, and Corporate Communications and Mr. Martin Hart-Hansen, Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP Thailand, represent their respective organizations to sign the MoU. Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP (New Zealand’s Former Prime Minister), Mr. Luc Stevens, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand, also witness the signing ceremony. Beyond the financial support of US$50,000 as the initial fund to promote Thai youths and start-ups to create social innovation under the MoU, under the MOU, CPG has also supported UNDP in a joint development projects for sustainable production and consumption throughout supply chain; anti-corruption projects; and publicity activities to promote SDGs. Mr. Hart-Hansen says that cooperation with CPG, as business representative, is a new dimension for business cooperation to promote sustainable development. “UNDP is the worldwide network of the United Nations, which has a role in promoting change and connection with countries. We have a body of knowledge to help people around the world get a better life. In Thailand, UNDP cooperates with the private sector with high potential like Charoen Pokphand Group, which is committed to driving changes under the UN framework. This is a new dimension in business cooperation and sustainable development as a means of cooperation in setting up the Social Innovation for Development Center. Moreover, it’ll attract youths and start-ups to help gather ideas for innovation to solve social problems.’’ The UNDP’s headquarters is in New York, USA. It is a multilateral organization to help develop knowledge, experience and resources, as well as being an organization to coordinate assistance of the United Nations, with international operation and political neutrality, following important development goals to help people have a better life. CPG is a multi-national Thai conglomerate, with key businesses in agri-food, telecommunications, and retail. It operates in 20 countries and exports to over 100 countries worldwide.

The Closing Workshop of CATSPA – Catalysing Sustainability for Thailand’s Protected Area System Project was a collaboration between the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation and the United Nations Development Programme, with 3.3 Million USD financial support from the Global Environment Facility

UNDP partners with BEC-TERO Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. continuing His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej mission on human development in order to achieve the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). In addition, Ms. Thunchanok Moonnilta (known as French-Fry) (Miss Thailand World 2015) was appointed a role as Friend of UNDP to support and promote the sustainable development through UNDP projects across the country.

It is one year since every country in the world signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals. They form a blueprint for addressing the most significant challenges facing our planet and its people. Challenges like climate change. This is likely to be the hottest year on record and here in Asia, climate change is a cause of the natural disasters that have claimed half a million lives in the last decade. Challenges like inequality, which has been growing for four-fifths of Asia-Pacific’s population over the last 20 years. Challenges brought on by the accelerating process of ageing, which will make it harder for many Asian states to provide basic services to their people. The 17 SDGs will address these challenges and other interlinked issues, including education, hunger and security. But governments cannot implement this blueprint on their own. Nor can the UN and other development organizations.

This Disaster Risk Assessment Guideline (In Thai: คู่มือการประเมินความเสี่ยงจากภัยพิบัติ) captures the basic knowledge on disaster risk assessment and relevant processes with specific examples taken from the experience in piloting climate/disaster risk assessments in Chiang Rai and Songkhla Provinces in Thailand during 2015-2016. It was developed as part of the Project on Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Development Planning in Thailand (MADRiD Project) by UNDP Thailand, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Office of National Economic and Social Development Board, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). The book was first launch at the National Seminar on Application of Risk Information in Disaster Risk Management Decisions in Thailand on 10 November 2016, Bangkok, Thailand.

“The day we saw fireflies coming back and sparkling in our neighborhood we were so happy. It shows, we can preserve fireflies and its habitats for the next generations,” said Sukit Plubchang, coordinator of Clear Water in Beautiful Canal Project, Bang Krasorb Community.

The expected output of the BIOFIN Workbook 2 which will focus on Biodiversity Finance Needs and Gap Assessment include an analysis of the costs for each set of strategies and actions within the NBSAP and a summary analysis and prioritization of all existing and future costs through 2020.

Employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people is a prevalent but silent issue in Thailand, said experts at a national level meeting to discuss issues related to discrimination in the workplace.

Biodiversity-related expenditure is defined as any expenditure, whether by a public or private finance actor, that supports the conservation, sustainable use and/or equitable benefits sharing of biodiversity in a given year. The proportion of expenditure that are attributed to biodiversity is based on an overall assessment of the activities within each financial actor’s work programs and also by comparison with the NBSAP whether these are included in the NBSAP or consistent with NBSAP’s strategies. Programs’ objectives and performance indicators, as well as any major obstacles that arise, are used to determine their effectiveness in relation to the stated goal. These indicators are primarily based on those specified in each finance actor’s strategic plan or budgetary work programs with quantifiable quantities such as protected areas coverage, number of ecotourism centers being serviced, number of studies on environmental resource management undertaken, some of which can be related to the overall indicators used in the assessment of the National Economic and Social Development Plan, the Environmental Quality Plan and the NBSAP.

This publication highlights the unique contribution of ten GEF financed, UNDP supported projects in six tiger range countries (Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand), demonstrating how conservation activities in tiger habitat can accomplish more than the preservation of one iconic wildlife species.

A more coordinated, multi-sectoral response is needed to address gender inequality and gender-based violence of marginalized people in Thai society, including women, children and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, said participants at a conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced today that it will launch its new human development report “Shaping the Future: How Changing Demographics Can Power Human Development,” on April 26 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The “Small Communities, Big Thoughts” video showcases how UNDP Thailand partnering with the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, supports communities to address national water resource conservation problems and promote sustainable development.

In an attempt to encourage communities in Mae Hong Son province to use more energy efficient and environmentally friendly cooking and heating methods, UNDP Thailand’s Promoting Renewable Energy project in partnership with the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) and the Ministry of Energy carried out an improved cook stoves (ICS) experiment. The ICS was designed to reduce fuel consumption per meal and to curb smoke emissions.

While promoting sustainable production techniques to farmers in Thailand, UNDP's Goodwill Ambassador Joan Roca presents how chefs can make a difference in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

Childhood friends Duangsuda Srangamphai and Chehyoy Dama, originally from Thienya village, Pattani province in southern Thailand, recently established a community enterprise called Thienya Roasted Coconut to uplift the spirits of women from their village who had been affected by conflict.They received a small grant from UNDP’s Southern Thailand Empowerment and Participation (STEP) Project.

The new book, Parks for Life: Why We Love Thailand’s National Parks, aims to create a better recognition of, and greater commitment and support to protect the country’s rich biodiversity. The publication advocates for investing in the management of protected areas to promote inclusive economic growth that takes the real value of biodiversity and ecosystems into account in decision-making in the country’s development.

The Promoting Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings (PEECB) project, a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) held its third annual seminar.

On the occasion of our 50th anniversary, UNDP is looking toward the future of people and planet. That future is uncertain. On the one hand, climate change, political turbulence, economic inequality, and other challenges. On the other hand, technological advances, tremendous economic growth, and an unprecedented global consensus about the best way forward.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centre for Biodiversity, in cooperation with ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat and partner organisations, held the Second ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity under the theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” on 15 - 19 February in Bangkok.

Aka who is a fisherman by trade, makes the model boats to supplement his income to support his wife and six children. However, since June 2015, Aka has being imparting his boat making skills with young men in the village after receiving a small grant from UNDP’s Southern Thailand Empowerment and Participation (STEP) Project.

Sai Khao Agricultural Housewives Community Enterprise, a small cooperative, which prepares, preserves and sells Garcinia received a small grant through UNDP’s Southern Thailand Empowerment and Participation (STEP) Project.

UNDP's STEP II Project awarded small grants to eight community projects in targeted provinces in southern Thailand (Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat). The grants, generously financed by the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund, aim to assist local communities to become more resilient amid the ongoing violent conflict in southern Thailand, through the improvement of their livelihoods.

The UN SDG exhibition aims to introduce the Sustainable Development Goals in Thailand, highlight their importance for Thai people, as well as commemorate the 70th anniversary of the UN through emphasizing the partnership between UN Country Team Thailand and the Royal Thai Government. Additionally, the UN plans to bring the exhibition around the country to engage with as many Thais as possible.

Discrimination and exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the private sector workplace, which is widespread across the Asia-Pacific region including in Thailand, has both economic as well as human associated costs. A national executive dialogue on the business of LGBT rights in Asia jointly convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and The Economist Events.

The United Nations and P&G; Thailand celebrated receivership of the Best Communications Campaign Award for the My World survey campaign. The Best Communications Campaign award recognises the efforts of P&G; Thailand in working with the United Nations, media outlets, and developing advertising products and tools to showcase peoples’ engagement on the post-2015 development agenda.