Thailand’s approach for sustainable development and building back better

The COVID-19 pandemic is another unprecedented situation that has caused a tremendous suffering and loss of life, severe social and economic disruption, and a dramatic change in one’s way of living. I

The COVID-19 pandemic is another unprecedented situation that has caused a tremendous suffering and loss of life, severe social and economic disruption, and a dramatic change in one’s way of living. It has also slowed down the global effort to drive forward sustainable development and achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a dedicated advocate for global sustainability, Thailand believes that its homegrown development approach of “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy” (SEP) can serve as an alternative approach to achieving the SDGs and building back better without leaving no one behind amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19.

What is Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)?

After the Asian financial crisis in 1997, His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej introduced SEP, which has become Thailand’s universally applicable development concept at all levels in the society. His Majesty’s reflections from decades of extensive tours and conversations with villagers across the country is culminated in this philosophy.