Anutin calls for UN reform, equal voices at 81st General Assembly

NEW YORK, United States — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for reform of the United Nations to give countries a more equal voice and restore trust in multilateralism as he addressed the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 24 September.

Anutin, who is also Thailand’s interior minister, delivered Thailand’s national statement under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All”. He also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters ahead of the speech.

Anutin said the UN, which marked its 80th anniversary this year, needs to be reformed based on trust and broader participation.

He said trust cannot be imposed, but can be built through smaller groups that gradually expand into broader cooperation, allowing countries that have historically had less influence to have their voices heard.

Anutin also stressed that peace should not be defined simply as the absence of war. He said it should include constructive cooperation among countries.

On global conflicts, he referred to the situation in Palestine and Thailand-Cambodia border issues, saying bilateral negotiations should be used to address the latter. He also said the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerns maritime boundary delimitation.

Anutin also reaffirmed Thailand’s support for peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar.

On transnational challenges, he highlighted Thailand’s cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to prevent and combat drug trafficking, as well as efforts involving multiple sectors to tackle online crime.

He said a rules-based international order, combined with participation by all countries in shaping their common future, would be essential to restoring confidence in the multilateral system.