UNFPA Executive Director and Thai Prime Minister Discuss Thailand’s Response to Changing Population Dynamics

BANGKOK, Thailand — Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, met today with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand, to discuss the implications of the country’s changing population and future cooperation between the UNFPA and the Royal Thai Government.

Dr. Osotimehin met Thailand’s first female head of Government while he was in Bangkok to attend the Sixth Asia and Pacific Population Conference at the United Nations’ regional centre here. More than 400 representatives from 40 countries were exchanging views on population issues facing Asia-Pacific region as part of an effort to shape the global population agenda for the future.

During the meeting at the Government House, the UNFPA leader congratulated the Prime Minister for Thailand’s success in achieving both economic prosperity and social development, saying it can serve as example for other countries. He also commended Ms. Yingluck for her Government’s recent commitment to provide health care to migrants from other countries. Noting that migration has become a key challenge in the region, he said it is critical to ensure that migrants are covered by social protection programmes such as health services, including for HIV prevention.

The two also discussed the ageing of Thailand’s population and the challenge of adolescent pregnancy.

Read the full press release on the UNFPA Asia & Pacific Regional website.