Sustainability in Thailand – Experience for Developing Countries (2017)



FOREWORDS

For some time now, South-South cooperation has been gaining momentum in the official development ecosystem. The rich diversity of the South provides an excellent opportunity for developing countries to forge mutually beneficial partnerships in our common endeavour to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recognizing the importance of South-South cooperation, Thailand is honoured to be the first country to recount our journey from being an aid recipient to becoming an emerging development partner in this new series of UNOSSC publications. It is our hope that this will encourage more countries of the South to take part in development cooperation. In this publication, we will also share with you Thailand’s home-grown approach to sustainable development, known as the “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy” (SEP). Conceived over 40 years ago, SEP became the tenet of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s working precepts which evolve around the concepts of moderation, knowledge and reasonableness. SEP has put Thailand on a steady growth path for decades and remains today the key guiding principle of Thailand’s sustainable development efforts. As the world works collectively to achieve the SDGs, Thailand has been promoting “SEP for SDGs Partnership” as our contribution to the global development effort to make sure that no country is left behind. Through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), technical cooperation such as short-term training courses, post-graduate scholarships, study visits as well as tailor-made cooperation programmes have been provided to numerous countries for decades. The success of these programmes bears testimony to the enduring power of robust development work, which should begin at home, at the levels of family, village and community. Thailand wishes to dedicate this publication to our late monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, savant initiator of this philosophy which has benefited not just the people of Thailand but also countless peoples elsewhere around the globe. Don Pramudwinai Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand In 2016, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation decided to create a space for United Nations Member States and other partners to collaborate with us in a unique way, to share their key innovations and successes – implemented at home and replicated across the world. Guided by this conceptualisation, my team and I branded a publication series titled “South-South in Action”. The focus for the publication is selected by the country or institution whose success is highlighted, not by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation. The Office is proud to present this first publication in the series together with the Government of Thailand. This publication has been compiled at an appropriate time, as Thailand holds the chairmanship of the Group of 77. Furthermore, this compilation comes at a moment when Thailand mourns and remembers the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, architect of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and other ideas on sustainable development explored here. The publication demonstrates that there is no “one size fits all” for contributions to sustainability. That is, local solutions engendered by the culture and character of every nation lend themselves to overcoming the unique challenges of our times. These initiatives promote ways to make people’s lives better within the natural environment, safeguarding the well-being of future generations, and preserving our home, our planet. Such an endeavor requires a catalyst to engender reflection, the generation of ideas and their effective implementation. This is what His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej did for Thailand As the world looks for solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, contributions like those shared in this volume will deepen the scope of thinking and facilitate broader South-South and triangular knowledge exchanges. Jorge Chediek Envoy of the Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation and Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation

Connect with UNOSSC

Stay updated with the latest trends in South-South cooperation and access our vast repository of knowledge.

Copyright © UNOSSC/UNDP

Register

Registration Form (INDIVIDUAL EXPERT)

Use this form to register as an individual expert and become discoverable for knowledge exchange, advisory services, technical support, mentorship, and South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives.

SECTION A. PERSONAL INFORMATION

First name *
Last Name *
Image
Maximum file size: 1 GB
Country of Residence: *
Current Organization/Institution (if applicable):
Position/Title:
Email *
LinkedIn/Professional Profile (optional):
Short professional biography *
CV
Maximum file size: 1 GB

SECTION B. EXPERTISE PROFILE

SDGs
Specific Expertise / Keywords (max. 10 keywords, separate with , ):
Experience in Regions
Experience in Countries

SECTION C. TYPE OF SUPPORT YOU CAN PROVIDE

I am available to provide: (Select all that apply)

SECTION D. PRO-BONO EXPERT SUPPORT

Would you be willing to provide pro bono support to governments, development organizations, UN entities, academia, civil society organizations, or other stakeholders through the platform?

SECTION E. MODALITIES & AVAILABILITY

Mode of support:
Estimated availability:
Indicative level of effort (optional):
SECTION F. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF SUPPORT OFFER (Max. 500 characters)

SECTION G. CONSENT & CONDITIONS

I would like my profile to be: *
Consent: *

1. Official name of organization / institution / government entity (exclusions to apply) *
Organizational Logo *
Maximum file size: 2 MB
2. Country *
3. Region *
4. SDGs *
5. Partner category *
6. Website *
7. Which is your Parent organization?
8. Indicate which unit/project/department you work in at your organization. *
9.Industry / sector of your organization *
10. Brief description of your institution (max. 150 words) *
11. Name for the Lead *
12. Title for the Lead *
13. Email address for the Lead *
14. Name for the co-lead
15. Title for the co-lead
16. Email address for the co-lead
17. Due Diligence and Integrity Declaration *

Registration Form (INDIVIDUAL EXPERT)

Use this form to register as an individual expert and become discoverable for knowledge exchange, advisory services, technical support, mentorship, and South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives.

SECTION A. PERSONAL INFORMATION

First name *
Last Name *
Image
Maximum file size: 1 GB
Nationality:
Country of Residence: *
Current Organization/Institution (if applicable):
Position/Title:
Email *
LinkedIn/Professional Profile (optional):
Short professional biography *
CV
Maximum file size: 1 GB

SECTION B. EXPERTISE PROFILE

SDGs
Specific Expertise / Keywords (max. 10 keywords, separate with , ):
Experience in Regions
Experience in Countries

SECTION C. TYPE OF SUPPORT YOU CAN PROVIDE

I am available to provide: (Select all that apply)

SECTION E. MODALITIES & AVAILABILITY

Mode of support:
Estimated availability:
Indicative level of effort (optional):
SECTION F. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF SUPPORT OFFER (Max. 500 characters)

SECTION G. CONSENT & CONDITIONS

I would like my profile to be: *
Consent: *

1. Official name of organization / institution / government entity (exclusions to apply) *
Organization logo
Maximum file size: 20 MB
2. Country *
3. Region *
4. SDG *
5. Partner category *
6. Website *
7. Brief description of your institution (max. 150 words) *
8. Name for the Lead *
9. Title for the Lead *
10. Email address for the Lead *
11. Name for the co-lead
12. Title for the co-lead
13. Email address for the co-lead
14. Expression of Interest in the Alliance *
Additional information on proposed areas of engagement may be requested through the platform following initial review by the Alliance Secretariat.
15. Due Diligence and Integrity Declaration *

Submission Note:

  • Submission of this Expression of Interest form does not automatically confer participation in the Alliance.
  • All submissions will be reviewed by the Alliance Secretariat, including basic eligibility screening and proportionate due diligence, as appropriate.
  • Participation in Alliance activities is determined based on relevance to articulated cooperation needs, alignment with Alliance principles, and integrity considerations.
  • Engagement under the Alliance is voluntary, non-binding, and facilitative in nature, and does not constitute funding approval, contractual commitment, or institutional membership.
  • The Alliance Secretariat may contact submitting entities for additional information or clarification during the review process.

Submission of Demand Form

Description of Demand

Indicate the type of support or cooperation requested through the Alliance.
Please briefly describe the challenge, gap, or priority. (Max. 300 words)

Thematic and Geographic Focus

Please indicate the main focus areas of your demand:

A. Thematic Areas (select up to three)
B. Geographic Focus (select all that apply)

Proposed Engagement Modalities

Please indicate how you would like to engage through the Alliance (select all that apply):

Expected Outcomes

Please indicate the main results you seek to achieve through this engagement. (Max. 200 words)
Examples:
• Capacity strengthened
• Partnerships established
• Sectoral or regional strategies co-developed
• Solutions piloted
• Knowledge generated
• Policies informed

Timeline and Readiness (if applicable)

1. Expected timeframe for engagement:
2. Current stage:

Additional Information

Please provide any additional information, documents, or links relevant to this submission.
(Max. 200 words or upload link)

Submission of Offer Form

Description of Contribution

Indicate the type of contribution your institution can provide and describe the expertise, resources, or solutions you may offer.
Please briefly describe your proposed contribution. (Max. 300 words)

Thematic and Geographic Focus

Please indicate the main focus areas of your interest:

A. Thematic Areas (select up to three)
B. Geographic Focus (select all that apply)

Proposed Engagement Modalities

Please indicate how you would like to engage through the Alliance (select all that apply):

Expected Outcomes

Please indicate the main results you aim to achieve through this engagement. (Max. 200 words)
Examples:
• Capacity strengthened
• Partnerships established
• Sectoral or regional strategies co-developed
• Solutions piloted
• Knowledge generated
• Policies informed

Timeline and Readiness (if applicable)

1. Expected timeframe for engagement:
2. Current stage:

Additional Information

Please provide any additional information, documents, or links relevant to this submission.
(Max. 200 words or upload link)

Organization Registration

Authentication & Due Diligence This prototype simulates identity verification, due diligence confirmation, and an authentication step before submission. *

First Name *
Last Name *
Email address *
Password *
Confirm Password *
Name of institution / organization *
Country / Region *
Organization Type *
Organization other *
Function / role *
Organization logo *
Maximum file size: 1 GB

Login

Login / email *
Password *
Remember me

Forgot password?

Connect form

Your name *
Email *
Organization / institution *
Job title / role *
Reason for connecting:
Short message

Add Knowledge Product

A. Publication Basics (Mandatory)

Exact Title of the Publication *
Featured image *
Maximum file size: 2 MB
Executive Summary *
Publication Available Online *
Direct Link to Publication

B. Publication Details

Subtitle
Publication Type *
Year of Publication *
Authors / Editors
Key Messages

C. Organizations

Partner Organizations

D. Discoverability (Optional)

Keywords *
SDGs *
Geographic Coverage *
Countries *

Add Good Practice

My form is: *

SECTION 1. BASIC INFORMATION

Title of the Good Practice *
A South-South cooperation good practice is a documented experience, approach, methodology or initiative that has produced positive results, generated useful lessons, and demonstrated relevance for other countries or institutions facing similar development challenges. A good practice should be credible, evidence-based, contextually explained, and useful for learning, policy dialogue, adaptation or scaling.
Name of the Solution(s) *
A South-South cooperation solution is a concrete, tested or implementable policy, programme, technology, institutional model, service, financing mechanism, methodology or partnership approach developed or applied by countries and institutions of the Global South, which responds to a clearly identified development challenge and has potential to be adapted, replicated or scaled in other contexts through South-South or triangular cooperation.
Short Summary *
max. 60 words
Lead Implementing Institution *
Partner Institutions *
Countries / Territories Involved *
Regions Involved *
Type of Cooperation *

SECTION 2. DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT & SDG ALIGNMENT

Primary SDG(s) Addressed *
SDG Target(s) *
Secondary SDGs (if applicable)
Development Challenge Addressed *
100–150 words

SECTION 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE GOOD PRACTICE & SOLUTION

Objectives of the Good Practice / Solution *
max. 100 words
Description of the Solution(s) *
max. 300 words
Innovation Dimension *
max. 150 words

SECTION 4. SOUTH-SOUTH & TRIANGULAR COOPERATION VALUE

South-South Knowledge Exchange *
max. 200 words
Role of Triangular Partners (if applicable)

SECTION 5. PARTICIPATION & GOVERNANCE

Were participatory approaches used in the design and implementation of the solution? If yes, describe the stakeholders involved (e.g., beneficiaries, communities, civil society, private sector, government agencies) *
max. 150 words
What governance and institutional arrangements supported the implementation of this solution? Please describe the roles and responsibilities of key institutions and any collaboration with government entities, development partners, civil society, academia, or the private sector *

SECTION 6. PRODUCED IMPACT (Partner-Validated)

Description of Produced Impact *
max. 250 words
Quantitative Results *
Please provide measurable results achieved through the solution.
Quantitative Results
Please provide measurable results achieved through the solution.
Qualitative Results *
Please describe the most significant qualitative changes resulting from the solution.
Qualitative Results
Please describe the most significant qualitative changes resulting from the solution.

Timeframe of Impact

Timeframe of Impact of the solution: *

SECTION 7. SUSTAINABILITY & SCALABILITY

7.1 What measures have been taken to ensure the sustainability of the good practice beyond the project or intervention period? *
Please describe institutional, financial, policy, technical, community ownership, or capacity-building measures that support long-term sustainability. (max. 150 words)
7.2 Is the solution replicable and adaptable in other contexts? *
Please explain whether the solution can be adapted or replicated in different countries, regions, sectors, communities, or development settings. Highlight any enabling conditions or prerequisites. (max. 150 words)

SECTION 8. RISKS & LESSONS LEARNED

Key Risks and Mitigation Measures
max. 100 words
Lessons Learned *
max. 150 words

SECTION 9. RESOURCES & EVIDENCE

Supporting Materials *
Maximum file size: 1 GB
manuals, toolkits, evaluations, media
URL of the Good Practice / Solution *
Please provide URLs to publicly available resources that demonstrate, validate, or document the good practice. Examples include: Project or programme website/microsite, published evaluation report, case study, knowledge product, policy document, news article or media coverage, technical report, blog or publication etc.
URL of the Solution *
Please provide URLs to publicly available resources that demonstrate, validate, or document the solution. Examples include: Project or programme website/microsite, published evaluation report, case study, knowledge product, policy document, news article or media coverage, technical report, blog or publication etc.
Additional URLs (optional)

SECTION 10. CONTACT INFORMATION & VALIDATION

Focal Point – Partner Institution (Impact Validation)

Name *
Title *
Organization *
Email *
Declaration *

Scroll to Top