On 25 September 2026, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the High-level Dialogue on the 5th Anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) under the theme “Together for a New Chapter of Sustainable Development,” held during the High-level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.

The Vice Minister delivered a statement congratulating the GDI on its achievements during the past 5 years, which have benefited people on the ground in over 120 countries. Thailand cooperates with China on various issues under the GDI framework, such as human resource development. The core principles of the GDI align with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), Thailand’s development approach, which emphasizes balance between humans and nature, and between prosperity and the planet. The Vice Minister stated that Thailand looks forward to sharing its experiences on the application of the SEP and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model at the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok in October 2026. In addition, the Vice Minister emphasized the importance of the GDI as a platform that responds to the needs and priorities of developing countries beyond 2030, and Thailand’s readiness to cooperate with all sectors to build a better future for all.

The Global Development Initiative (GDI), led by China, promotes international cooperation for the achievement of sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thailand is a founding member of the Group of Friends of the GDI in New York. To date, 88 countries are members of the Group of Friends of the GDI.