Boss of Thailand’s biggest conglomerate urges human capital upgrade

Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, told the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) Forum that the Thai private and public sectors must upgrade to meet the demands of the worldwide technological shift and sustainability goals.

Organisations should seek benefits from AI, while the government should help workers to use AI effectively, he said, speaking in his capacity as chairman of the United Nations Global Compact Network Thailand (UNGCNT).

Subtitled “Partnership for Human Capital 5.0 – Towards Sustainable Intelligence", the forum was held in Bangkok on Wednesday as part of efforts to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Turning to education, the CP boss said Thai students should know how to use new technologies and adopt a “growth mindset” while teachers should take the role of facilitators to create new-generation leaders.

In business, he said the private sector could organise activities or set up learning centres to boost human capital development.

"I believe that people who have sustainable intelligence can drive Thailand and global society towards just transition, deal with various challenges and achieve all 17 SDGs," he said.

Foreign Minister Panpree Bahiddha-nukara told the forum that the government has adopted a human-centred approach to drive Thailand in the fifth industrial revolution.

"This is an era when humans and technology will work in harmony to stimulate the economy," he said.

Panpree also laid out Thailand’s three-part guideline for new growth as follows:

• Green growth: Focusing on the business sectors’ impact on society and environment
• Innovation-driven growth: Applying innovations, technologies and AI to implement government policy and business operations.
• Community-based growth: Boosting labour and production processes to enhance business potential and create jobs.

The minister said the private sector can become a role model for sustainable development with initiatives such as carbon footprint measurement, promotion of sustainability, and new business models for small entrepreneurs.

"In the next phase, we need to focus on SDG localisation by upskilling and reskilling people of all ages to drive the creative economy and boost the country's productivity,” he said.

Gita Sabharwal, UN resident coordinator in Thailand, said human capital development was needed to drive the country forward under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model.

The UN was ready to support government and private organisations in preparing for the green economic transition, she said.

"Human capital will help boost the country's potential in driving the circular economy," she said, adding that the Thai government's commitment is crucial for enabling the private sector to achieve SDGs.

Members of 133 organisations under the UNGCNT have vowed to boost the potential of at least 1 million people by 2030 in a bid to drive Thailand’s transition to a circular economy.

The network will also launch a "Sustainable Intelligence Youth Club" next year to create awareness of sustainable development among the young generation.