From February 19-21, 2025, Tanyakorn (Yves) Thippayapokin, Policy Advocacy and Communication Coordinator at Asylum Access Thailand (AAT), took part in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Youth Forum 2025. Yves joined the forum to ensure that refugee voices were heard in shaping the regional Call to Action. Refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand face barriers to healthcare, protection, and legal employment, and it is crucial that their needs are addressed in sustainable development policies.

A key outcome of the forum was a Call to Action, outlining urgent recommendations to advance the #2030Agenda. This document was officially presented at the 12th APFSD (February 25-28, 2025) at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Bangkok and submitted to UN agencies and government representatives, ensuring that youth-led advocacy shapes policymaking at both regional and global levels.

📢 Key refugee-related issues highlighted in the Call to Action:

✅ Healthcare (SDG 3):
Refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand are excluded from Universal Health Coverage (UHC), forcing them to rely on costly out-of-pocket medical expenses or limited NGO-provided services. Immigration Detention Centers (IDCs) lack basic healthcare, nutritious food, and mental health support, leading to severe health risks. The Call to Action urges mobile medical units, UNHCR/IOM partnerships, and expanded healthcare access for refugees.

✅ Gender Equality (SDG 5):
Refugee women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), including domestic abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. Yet, they have limited access to justice, legal aid, and protective shelters. The Call to Action calls for safe shelters, legal support, and economic empowerment programs to protect and uplift refugee women.

✅ Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG 8):
Refugees in Thailand cannot legally work, forcing them into exploitative, informal labor conditions without rights or protections. The Call to Action advocates for legal employment pathways, vocational training, and stronger labor protections—allowing refugees to contribute to Thailand’s economy while reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

📢 Refugees must be included in the SDGs—because sustainable development is only possible when no one is left behind!

🔗 Read the full Call-to-Action here:
📄 Asia-Pacific Youth Call-to-Action → https://arrow.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/APFSD-Youth-Forum-2025-Call-to-Action.pdf

📄 APFSD Youth Forum Call-to-Action 2025: Thailand → https://arrow.org.my/apfsdyouthforum/wp-content/uploads/APFSD-Youth-Forum-Call-to-Action-2025_-Thailand.pdf