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provided with freedom of choice at its core. We support Thailand’s effort in

strengthening governance systems to better respond to the needs of the poorest
and most marginalized groups and help foster civic engagement so that the voices
of the disadvantaged and marginalized groups are heard. UNDP is working on
various policy note and tools to that effect. For example, last December we

released a comprehensive Disability Guidance Note to ensure the needs and rights
of people with disabilities are incorporated in all development work. Last July, in
collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, we
launched a Handbook on National Multidimensional Poverty Index to help identify

those population groups that are facing severe and overlapping deprivations. The
Multidimensional Poverty Index is also an instrument for enhancing governance, help
in policy coordination, improve national information systems, and foster the
accountability of governments. The UN Operational Guide on ‘Leaving No One

Behind’ published this year - in which UNDP played a big role– provides a concrete
framework that countries can use to make inequalities visible and actionable across
the SDGs. I do want to use this platform to announce that our next flagship Global
Human Development Report will focus on Inequality and will be launched early

December. In parallel, here in Thailand we are working with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the Thailand Development Research Institute on a National Human
Development Report focused on “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: Empowerment
and Inclusion of People and Communities to Achieve SDGs” which will address the

issue of inequalities. It therefore seems that all requirements are met to provide a
conducive environment for inequalities to be further addressed and democracy to be
further deepened.

Keynote Speaker