UNDP, Air Asia launch sustainable development initiatives

BANGKOK, Dec 21 (TNA) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and AirAsia on Wednesday launched four initiatives in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for their cooperation in sustainable development and unveiled four sustainable development initiatives to promote economic, social and environmental development. Ms Deirdre Boyd, UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand, said the UNDP was glad to cooperate with the private sector to promote SDGs. It targets to achieve 17 goals, covering economic, social and environmental developments by 2030. Sustainable development will be able to happen under the collaboration of all sectors. UNDP and Air Asia’s four pilot initiatives include SDGs awareness creation, Eastern Sarus Crane conservation, Friendly Design universal accessibility, and sustainable tourism development. The first initiative, SDGs awareness creation will promote understanding of the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals through various kinds of media in many small projects such as Air Asia’s aircraft liveries. In terms of environment, Air Asia will be engaged in the Eastern Sarus Crane conservation project in Buriram, supported by the Zoological Park Organization. The Friendly Design’s universal access campaign will focus on serving all groups of passengers, including those with special needs to access service and facilities equally. Under the last initiative to develop community-based tourism, training will be conducted in four local communities to provide knowledge, skills in management and product development and basic English to local people, so they can better manage tourism in their villages. (TNA)