‘Global South-South Development Expo 2022’ (GSSD Expo 2022) is the first ever GSSD Expo to be held in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific Region, co-hosted by the Government of Thailand in partnership with Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). The main theme for this year’s Expo is “Advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery: Towards a Smart and Resilient Future”. The event will serve as a global platform for sharing expertise and innovative development solutions. The event is taking place from 12-14 September 2022 at United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, stating that the GSSD Expo 2022 reflects how vital global partnerships are in tackling multiple challenges posed by COVID-19 and strengthening collective commitment among development community.

Thailand remains committed to enhancing cooperation with development partners across continents towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The partnerships are forged through increasing collaboration in various development sectors and framework with an aim to revive social and economic development, sharing successes stories, and notching up existing collaboration and new initiatives.

Among 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes on the main coordinating role on Goal 17: The Partnership for Goals. Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) plays a strong role in building partnerships, strengthening human resources, social and economic development both at home and abroad.  

The highlights on 12  September includes the Leadership Roundtable organized by TICA, under the topic Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) for SDGs. The Roundtable focuses on Thailand’s development model based on the application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and how it helps Thailand and partner countries achieve SDGs. The panel discussion features Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, the Director-General of TICA and development experts from Thailand and Bhutan. It also showcases the success story of the initiative called OGOP Project in Bhutan. The project enhances local capacity building by identifying and developing a variety of Bhutanese products from each Gewog/community into quality products for both national and international markets.

Other interesting events will all take place during 13-14 September such as Thematic Solution Forums and side events in different fields ranging from economic and social issues, education, technology, innovation, poverty eradication, food and energy security.

Furthermore, participants will have an opportunity to witness the final round of ‘Youth4South Entrepreneurship Competition’, an event for young entrepreneurs and talents from developing countries around the world to develop and scale-up innovative entrepreneurial solutions for SDGs.

For more information, please visit https://virtual-expo.southsouth-galaxy.org/.

GSSD Expo 2022 programme is available at https://virtual-expo.southsouth-galaxy.org/en/event-programme.