On 2 June 2025, His Excellency Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, was elected with acclamation as Chair of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural) for the 80^th Session of the General Assembly (UNGA). He will assume the position in September. This is the first time that Thailand is elected as Chair of the Third Committee since 1986.

Ambassador Cherdchai’s chairing the Third Committee at UNGA80 is another great opportunity for Thailand to play a role in shaping the world’s social, humanitarian, and cultural agenda, supporting the work of the United Nations, and showing the country’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism. Thailand is also a member of the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2025-2027.

As one of the six Main Committees of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Third Committee is responsible for social, humanitarian, and cultural issues. The main session of the Committee usually starts its deliberation from October to December. The Chair of the Committee manages the Committee meetings and consultations in addressing social, humanitarian, and human rights reports and resolutions in an impartial manner before they are taken up by the General Assembly’s plenary meetings.

At UNGA80, Thailand will also be elected, as representative of the Asia-Pacific Group, among Vice-Chairs of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), represented by Ms. Pawinrat Mahaguna, Counsellor.