BANGKOK, 15 AUGUST 2022 – Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes joined the diplomatic corps, upon the invitation of the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, at the opening ceremony of the Thailand Climate Action Conference held on 5 August 2022 at the Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon complex in Bangkok.

The Conference, held under the theme “Our Future: Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity,” reviewed Thailand’s climate actions thus far and deliverables towards its targets of carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Thailand also aims to enhance its updated Nationally Determined Contribution to 40 per cent from business as usual (BAU), with financial and technological support.

Over two days, the Conference gathered over 3,000 participants and stakeholders from the national and local governments, private sector, academe, and civil society in Thailand who exchanged good practices and knowledge.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the opening ceremony, which included showcases by the provincial governments of Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Phuket, and Bangkok. Some highlights were Chiang Mai’s use of a mobile application and GPS technology to reduce and control crop burning, and Bangkok’s goal to plant a million trees in the metropolis. These local initiatives are guided by Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of progress with prudence and moderation, as well as its advocacy of the Bio, Circular, and Green (BCG) economic model.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, in his closing speech, announced that the Ministry is preparing Thailand’s Long-term Low Emissions and Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) office, before the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) this November in Egypt.

After the opening ceremony, Ambassador Paredes visited the exhibition booths of the private sector, youth, and civil society organizations on their climate action agenda. END