On January 24, 2024, Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, welcomed Mr. Winfried F. Wicklein, Director of Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB), during his mission to Thailand to strengthen relationships and cooperation between ADB and Thai agencies
On this occasion, the ADB Director discussed and exchanged views on Thailand’s comprehensive development issues, particularly areas where ADB is ready to provide both technical and financial support, such as public health, waste management, and water pollution. He also presented the importance of developing green infrastructure and financial facilities to improve financial capabilities and funding for various green projects. ADB has conducted relevant studies that Thailand may utilize, such as the ‘Renewable Energy Manufacturing: Opportunities for Southeast Asia’ study, which focuses on private sector investment analysis, regional cooperation integration, and policy formulation promoting low-carbon transport and energy demand, and the ‘Unlocking Innovation for Development’ study, which aims to enhance member countries’ capacity to address development challenges through innovation
In this regard, the NESDC Secretary-General emphasized Thailand’s development strategies prioritized by the government, such as agriculture, electric vehicle and electronics industries, healthcare services, creative industries, and Thai soft power development, as well as the focus on climate change issues, particularly air quality, and the development of carbon credit markets to meet international standards and generate income for communities. Additionally, the Secretary-General raised the issue of Thailand’s aging society, which requires preparation across all sectors to ensure Thailand becomes a stable aging society
Both parties expressed satisfaction with the concrete progress of projects under the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and strategic cooperation between NESDC and ADB under the Thailand Green Incubator project, which has initiated the identification of potential areas for sustainable community-based tourism development and waste management to develop best practices and pilot areas before expanding operations to other locations. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of implementing this project in helping to enhance knowledge, understanding, and readiness of government agencies to implement the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy policy
News: Strategy and International Cooperation Coordination Division
Photo: Methitiya Wongpakdee
