Message from Ms Michaela Friberg-Storey
Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand
on the Occasion of United Nations Day 2026,
Satuday, 24 October 2026 – Celebrating 81 Years of the UN
It is a pleasure to join the people of Thailand and the readers of Elite+ in celebrating United Nations Day on 24 October. This year, we mark 81 years of the United Nations and 80 years of Thailand’s membership; together, these milestones invite us to celebrate a partnership built through generations of dialogue, cooperation and friendship. As Resident Coordinator, I draw encouragement from the commitment of the Royal Thai Government, the diplomatic community and our many partners to carry this work forward. Everyone’s contributions give multilateralism its strength and give us reason to look ahead with confidence.
For me, the opening words of our Charter, “We the peoples of the United Nations”, remain a powerful reminder of whom we serve. What inspires me is the energy and dedication the people of Thailand bring to this work: parents wanting their children to grow up safely, young people seeking a fair chance and communities working to protect the places they call home. Our purpose is to support these efforts and help them go further.
Since joining the United Nations as its 55th member in December 1946, Thailand has contributed to that purpose in many ways. Thai peacekeepers have served in missions around the world while the country’s engagement in humanitarian assistance and regional dialogue reflects a long-standing commitment to international cooperation. These contributions are an important part of the relationship we celebrate today.
Bangkok’s place among the world’s multilateral capitals gives this partnership a further dimension. As home to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and many regional UN offices, the city brings countries, institutions and communities together. It connects global commitments with regional priorities and provides a setting where different perspectives can inform solutions that benefit people across Asia and the Pacific.
The value of these connections is clear in the challenges before us. Conflict, climate change and inequality affect lives across borders while rapid technological advances bring opportunities that require thoughtful governance. Responding effectively calls for the skills, resources and experience of many partners. It also calls for a United Nations equipped to support countries, uphold human rights and deliver assistance when people need it most.
Here in Thailand, the UN Cooperation Framework guides our work alongside the Royal Thai Government and partners across society to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. I am honoured to lead a UN Country Team working to support inclusive growth, climate resilience, gender equality and digital transformation, among other priorities supporting Thailand’s national development ambitions. Across these efforts, our ambition is to help ensure that progress reaches those who need it most.
Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, with its emphasis on moderation, reasonableness and resilience, offers a valuable perspective on pursuing lasting prosperity. Its concern for balance speaks to the responsibility we all have to improve lives today while safeguarding opportunities for future generations.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s message this year reminds us to reaffirm the values at the heart of the United Nations: dialogue, cooperation and solidarity. Upholding the UN Charter and international law gives these values practical force. Strengthening the United Nations is an investment in our ability to advance peace, development and human rights together.
On this United Nations Day, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Royal Thai Government, our Member States and all our partners across Thailand. Let us carry our partnership forward with confidence, building trust, widening opportunity and laying strong foundations for future generations.
Happy United Nations Day!
