Thailand introduces sustainable development roadmap
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced Thailand's sustainable development roadmap and showed the country's interest in promoting cooperation with China within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing on October 18.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (Photo: khaosodenglish.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Prime Minister SretthaThavisin announced Thailand's sustainable development roadmap and showedthe country's interest in promoting cooperation with China within the Belt andRoad Initiative (BRI) during the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing onOctober 18.
The PM underlined that it is imperative to implementthe green transition across all sectors, and promote sustainable production andconsumption via all economic activities. This includes transport, energy, andinfrastructure.
New technologies and digital transformation will beinvaluable to this shift, but their responsible use and equitable access mustbe ensured, he said.
The PM affirmed that Thailand is actively implementing itslong-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy, while realigningits national energy plan to shift consumption to clean energy, and also promoteenergy efficiency.
Thailand aims to increase the production of zero-emissionvehicles to 30% by 2030, while encouraging foreign investment in the electricvehicle sector, said Thavisin, adding that his country also plans to scale upsustainable agronomy to reduce climate change vulnerability and improvefarmers' well-being.
He said he is optimistic that these policies will help Thailandreach its national targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030,achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and net-zero emissions by 2065..
He also underlined the importance of environmental and ecosystemconservation, and highlighted that an environmentally sound financing mechanismwill be an indispensable tool for the green transition.
Thailand has raised 12.5 billion USD so far by issuingsustainability bonds to fund multiple projects, he said, adding that the governmentwill introduce sustainability linked bonds to boost the green bonds market.
On the occasion, the PM also introduced the Land Bridge project, which isdesigned to connect the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean to the Gulf ofThailand and the Pacific Ocean, improving connectivity in the southern Andamanregion, and reducing commute times going via the Strait of Malacca./.
Thailand has approved investment applications worth a combined 41 billion THB (1.1 billion USD) in projects including the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EV), the generation of renewable energy from waste, data centres, and travel and tourism infrastructure and equipment.
Aiming to become the world's food supplier, Thailand is making efforts to incubate innovation in its agricultural sector, improve farming methods to increase the productivity and value of agricultural products, as well as support farmers in the transition to smart agriculture.
Thai exports in 2024 are likely to rebound to growth of 3.6% from a projected decline of 2% this year, according to the latest forecast by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (Photo: khaosodenglish.com) 
