Forty leading Thai corporations in concert with the UN launched the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) last week, forming a collaborative network of private companies working together to meet the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs) for Thailand.
Mr Suphachai says Thai corporations are on the lookout for sustainable methods.
Some 100 companies are expected to register with the GCNT by the end of 2019.
"The Global Compact is an important initiative set up initially in the US under the auspices of the UN," said Suphachai Chearavanont, chief executive of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group and president of GCNT.
"[The compact] aims at enabling organisations worldwide to understand and adopt sustainability principles to create meaningful changes in their respective countries. Organisations that sign up with the Global Compact are committed to operating their businesses responsibly in accordance with four core principles encompassing human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. For this reason, a number of leading corporations in Thailand that share these values have decided to join the membership of GCNT."
Mr Suphachai said the collaborative network comprises 40 leading Thai corporations whose common purpose is to facilitate balanced and sustainable economic, social and environmental development to meet the UN's SDGs for Thailand.
Convening corporations from the agricultural and food industries include Charoen Pokphand Foods, CP All, Mitr Phol Corporation and Thai Union Group, while members from the petroleum industry include Bangchak Corporation, PTT Plc, PTT Exploration and Production, Thai Oil, IRPC and PTT Global Chemical.
The telecommunications industry is represented by True Corporation, Pranda Jewelry represents gems and jewellery, Pinnacle Hotels and Resorts the tourism and hospitality industry and Print City the media and publishing industry.
"The launch of GCNT reflects that Thailand's private sector is on the lookout for sustainable ways to develop business and is ready to foster a collective, responsible awareness while developing knowledge sharing and constructive activities within the network," Mr Suphachai said.
"These actions will eventually lead to a powerful driving force, which is a key success factor for sustainable development and bring together positive changes in the country."
He said the major private business organisations from all industries' contributions can be leveraged to help scale up impactful programmes and produce better results across a broad spectrum of supply chains, customers, partners and employees.
"We would like to invite business organisations across the country to join us in building a strong network capable of impacting a concrete change in the society, with the aim to attain 100 members by the end of 2019," Mr Suphachai said.
Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon attended the launch of the GCNT, along with more than 500 business representatives from the country's private sector.
"By assembling leaders from the Thai private sector to form a Global Compact local network, the critical work that you are undertaking to alight your business with the ideals of the United Nations has my deep respect," Mr Ban said. "Our world is going through pronounced changes resulting in elevated uncertainties and new risks. Together, we can respond to the urgency of our global challenges and construct a better tomorrow."
The official launch was also presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Mr Wissanu reiterated the significant private sector role in the country and added that in promoting responsible business by the private sector, the government was ready to fully support the work of the GCNT to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
GCNT's primary mission in 2019 is to provide private organisations, especially companies listed on the SET, with necessary guidance to achieve the SDGs. GCNT is looking to hold a series of roadshows at private sector facilities and chambers of commerce nationwide.
Activities hosted GCNT will be mostly training courses about new discoveries and global trends relating to sustainable development, knowledge-sharing seminars on topics such as child labour, and other activities that allow participants to share experiences and discuss ways to promote responsible business practices for sustainable development.
