UNHCR Convenes Private Sector to support Thailand’s Journey Toward Making Statelessness History.

BANGKOK – UNHCR Thailand in partnership with MEDIATOR CO., LTD, a Thai company specializing in business development between Thailand and Japan, organized a conference held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) titled “Private Sector Support for Thailand’s Journey Toward Making Statelessness History”. The objective of the event was to raise awareness and funds for UNHCR’s statelessness programme, which supports the Royal Thai Government’s historic efforts to end statelessness in the country. The conference welcomed over 70 participants from Thai and Japanese businesses, with a management from UNIQLO (Thailand) Company Limited delivering the keynote address on sustainability and a panel discussion featuring the Royal Thai Government (RTG), Civil Society and former stateless people to understand the situation and collaboration on the ground. The highlight of the event was the launch of
a “Thai – Japanese Statelessness Fund” to offer the opportunity for the private sector to engage and support the mission to end statelessness in Thailand.

Thailand is home to one of the largest stateless populations in the world, with

some 600,000 individuals officially registered as stateless by the RTG. They face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, higher education, freedom of movement, and formal employment opportunities. Statelessness is not only a human rights issue. It is also a development challenge for Thailand’s economic growth and global competitiveness, as well as the international reputation of its businesses.

Thailand, as a member of the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, has been a global and regional leader in the eradication of statelessness. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to prevent and reduce statelessness by working closely with the RTG and Civil Society to support stateless people obtain nationality and permanent residence and realize their full potential.

“Thailand is leading by example regionally and globally to end statelessness” said Nivene Albert, Deputy Representative of UNHCR Multi-Country Office Thailand. “The launch of the Thai – Japanese Statelessness Fund demonstrates a true whole of society approach that is necessary to end statelessness in the country.”

On 29 October 2024, the RTG approved a Cabinet resolution accelerating pathways to nationality and permanent residence for 480,000 stateless people. Support from the private sector will ensure that this bold initiative reaches stateless communities even in the most remote parts of Thailand, and that such communities are supported in the application process and aware of their rights.

“We have been working with Japanese businesses operating in Thailand for over 15 years.” said Mr.Kantatorn Wannawasu, Mediator CEO. “We have observed the interest shown by Japanese businesses in contributing to society in Thailand. Statelessness prevents people from reaching their full potential and maximizing their contribution to Thailand’s development. That is why we decided to volunteer to help connect Thai and Japanese businesses to participate in resolving statelessness in Thailand.”

The Thai – Japanese Statelessness Fund welcomes contributions from today to raise awareness about statelessness and mobilize contributions from the private sector in Thailand to advance, promote, and facilitate the resolution of the issue. The fund will be used to support legal processes to obtain nationality and permanent residence, which in turn contributes to the Thai economy and nation, in advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The goal is to obtain funding of 1 million US dollars or approximately 33 million Baht to support nearly 40,000 stateless people.

If you are interested in supporting, please contact:

Amornsri Pattanasitdanggul, Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer, UNHCR Thailand: 063-270-9334