LocationsLocal leaders and global partners join forces to shape the city’s climate action future
Building Bangkok’s Green Tomorrow
January 6, 2025
Representatives from the Public sector, Private Sector, Academic and youth at the Multi-Stakeholders Coordination Platform event, hosted in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and UNDP
As urban centres worldwide grapple with the mounting threats of climate change, Bangkok faces an urgent question: How can a sprawling metropolis vulnerable to floods, rising temperatures, and air pollution become a beacon of sustainability?
Local leaders and experts took a bold step toward answering that question at the Multi-stakeholder Coordination Platform to Strengthen Climate Action in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Organized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) with support from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)’s Climate Finance Network and UNDP funds in support to a just energy transition, UNDP Thailand brought together approximately 130 participants, including representatives from BMA districts, private sector organizations, academia, youth and development partners.
This initiative aimed to present the climate and sustainability priorities of BMA, showcase a mapping analysis of existing climate-related initiatives and partners supporting BMA’s work across various priorities, including energy, climate resilience and adaptation, waste management and air pollution to foster partnerships and chart a path for transformative urban solutions that address the city’s most pressing environmental challenges.
A City at a Crossroads
Bangkok, a city contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions while bearing the brunt of climate impacts, exemplifies the dual challenge faced by urban areas globally. Rising sea levels, urban floods, and air pollution threaten the city's future, yet the city also has the potential to lead by example in tackling these issues.
Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, emphasizes the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve the city’s climate goals.
In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, emphasized the need for collaboration and partnerships to achieve the BMA’s climate aspirations.
“We´re creating pathways for collaborative action among the government, private sector, academic institutions, various organizations, and the general public in our city is fundamental. We will look into how BMA can enable its networks and partners to work more efficiently, both on their own agenda and in collaboration with each other” said Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej.In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, emphasized the need for collaboration and partnerships to achieve the BMA’s climate aspirations.
“We´re creating pathways for collaborative action among the government, private sector, academic institutions, various organizations, and the general public in our city is fundamental. We will look into how BMA can enable its networks and partners to work more efficiently, both on their own agenda and in collaboration with each other” said Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej.
UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand, Niamh Collier-Smith, echoed the sentiment, stressing the power of collaboration in achieving impactful change. “We´re trying to crowd in as many partners as possible from the private sector and the public sector to be part of creating a city of the future here in Bangkok. A city that also addresses both the challenges being presented by the climate crisis, but can also be a source of inspiration about what a liveable, safe, healthy city of the future could look like.,” she added.
(left to right) Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand and Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok at the Multi-stakeholders coordination platform.
Reimagining Urban Sustainability
The event focused on seven priorities of BMA for Bangkok's sustainable future, aligned with the Bangkok Masterplan on Climate Change: waste management, air quality, green spaces, energy, water, transportation, and climate adaptation. Moving away from conventional presentations, the gathering embraced interactive sessions designed to foster meaningful dialogue and spark collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Participants delved into priorities, explored shared goals and identified potential collaborations for collective action through various innovative methodologies e.g. the World Cafè, Mentimeter live mapping and interactive online data visualization. BMA officials provided valuable updates on ongoing initiatives, while attendees—ranging from private sector representatives to development partners—offered innovative perspectives on addressing shared challenges.
One standout session centred on mapping areas of collaboration, helping participants gain a clearer understanding of how to align efforts across sectors. The interactive stakeholder mapping platform developed and presented by UNDP shows what’s in place and provides insights on how various partners from the public, private, and development sectors currently contribute to the BMA’s climate change and sustainability agenda. This exercise not only facilitated open dialogue but also laid the foundation for coordinated partnerships to drive impactful change. The BMA relies on tax revenues for its initiatives in addition to technical assistance and advisory from development partners as well as the private sector which aligns their investments and operations with BMA’s priorities.
Team Leader at UNDP Thailand, Niamh Collier-Smith, UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand and Associate Professor Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Advisor to the Governor (BMA), Ms. Woranuch Suaykakaow, Deputy Director General of the Environment Department (BMA), and Ms. Elena Sentieri, Climate Change Analyst, UNDP Thailand
A Partnership for a Greener Future
The partnership between BMA and UNDP supported, among other sources, by the Climate Finance Network (CFN), underscores a long-term commitment to advancing climate action in Bangkok. This specific collaboration aims to enhance Bangkok’s ability to strengthen partnerships, coordinate existing partners’ support for climate and mobilize additional external support to achieve its ambitious sustainability goals.
“Partnerships like this provide the foundation for cities to transform bold climate aspirations into tangible progress,” said Niamh Collier-Smith.
The event also welcomed participation from British Embassy Bangkok, representing FCDO, which recognized the importance of fostering dialogue and partnerships to support sustainable urban development.
"British Embassy Bangkok welcomes this initiative from BMA and UNDP Thailand, to promote sustainable development for Bangkok’s Metropolitan Area, and strengthen multi-stakeholder consultation and partnerships – which are so crucial for climate action," said Ed MacDonagh, Deputy Head, Economic and Sustainable Development, British Embassy Bangkok.
Efforts have already been deployed prior to the event and are still ongoing to map stakeholders and interventions and identify additional opportunities to align private sector investments with public initiatives, ensuring resources are effectively directed toward sustainable urban development.
Participants engage in an interactive session featuring roundtable discussions on stakeholder and initiative mapping with key focuses on the seven key challenges and priority areas identified by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), fostering networking opportunities and the exchange of ideas and priorities.
The Road Ahead
The event laid the foundation for the upcoming Bangkok X Project, which will be launched by BMA in early 2025. This initiative will engage 15 pilot districts and the private sector to collaborate for implementing sustainability projects, showcasing innovative approaches to urban resilience.
Bangkok’s path to a greener future is gaining momentum, and this gathering showcased the city’s commitment to progress. By uniting diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration, Bangkok is setting a strong foundation to become a leading example of urban innovation and resilience.
For more information, contact:
Elena Sentieri (UNDP Thailand) elena.sentieri@undp.org
Cristina Gregorio (UNDP Climate Finance Network) cristina.gregorio@undp.org