Full text: Mahama’s address to 81st UN General Assembly

New York, United States — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul advocated for reforming the United Nations to ensure equal representation for all nations and rebuild confidence in multilateralism during his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on September 24. As Thailand's interior minister, Anutin presented Thailand's national statement under the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All". Prior to his speech, Anutin met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters.

Anutin argued that the 80-year-old UN requires reform based on trust and increased participation. He emphasized that trust cannot be forced upon countries but can be cultivated through smaller groups that gradually expand their cooperation, enabling nations with less influence to have their voices heard. Anutin also stressed that peace should encompass constructive cooperation among countries, rather than merely the absence of war.

Regarding global conflicts, he mentioned the Palestinian situation and the Thailand-Cambodia border, suggesting bilateral negotiations to address the latter. Anutin further clarified that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) relates to maritime boundary delimitation.

The Thai Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar. He highlighted Thailand's collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in combating drug trafficking and multiple-sector efforts to tackle online crime. Anutin concluded by asserting that a rules-based international order, coupled with the active participation of all countries in shaping their shared future, is crucial for restoring trust in the multilateral system.