WHEN: 4 June 2026 I TIME: 8:30 - 12:00 (Bangkok Time) I Location: TThe Athenee Hotel, Bangkok (Hybrid Event) I Register HERE
Background
Southeast Asia has committed to a regional circular economy (CE) transition through the 2021 ASEAN Circular Economy Framework. This is complemented by national CE and Sustainable Consumption and Production action plans, strategies, and roadmaps across the majority of ASEAN Member States, including in Thailand through the Bio, Circular, Green Economy framework. Achieving the CEs transition depends on active leadership from and implementation by businesses to develop and adopt circular products, services, and business processes that are appropriate to local markets and conditions. Frontrunner companies across the region are already demonstrating tangible benefits, from savings on materials, energy, water, and disposal costs to access to new markets and to sustainable finance.
The ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) is a business-led, ASEAN-centric initiative formed to foster business leadership and action on the circular economy. Launched on 22 July 2024 in Jakarta, ACEBA is supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and the European Union Delegation to ASEAN, and it operates with technical advisory support from the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component. To date, ACEBA has developed a principles-based circular economy framework for businesses and curated more than 90 circular economy business cases from companies in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, providing a practical evidence base for businesses which have started and are thriving from their own circular transition.
In Thailand, ACEBA Thailand was launched on 29 October 2025. It is led by the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) in collaboration with the Thai Business Council for Sustainable Development (TBCSD), with technical support from SWITCH-Asia. In 2026, ACEBA Thailand will focus on expanding business participation, curating new Thai circular economy business cases, convening practical learning and networking opportunities for companies at different stages of their circular journey and developing and piloting circular business tools and support models.
This half-day hybrid webinar is the first in a series of activities to advance ACEBA Thailand. It is designed to introduce the alliance to the Thai business community, make the business case for circular economy adoption with insights from Thai early adopters featured in SWITCH-Asia business cases. It will also outline how companies can engage with ACEBA Thailand.
Objectives:
- Introduce ACEBA – its mission, role, and value proposition to the Thai business community.
- Discover the business cases for circular economy adoption among Thai companies, including practical benefits and opportunities.
- Learn from early adopters of circular businesses in Thailand through SWITCH-Asia business cases and the lessons they offer.
- Look ahead with ACEBA Thailand's 2026 work plan and explore ways for businesses to get involved
Target Audiences: Thai businesses, SMEs, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, sustainability practitioners, and ACEBA partners
Format: On-site at the hotel and online via Zoom platform
Agenda:
|
Time (ICT) |
Duration |
Session |
|
08:30 – 09:00 |
30 min |
Registration & Networking |
|
09:00 – 09:05 |
5 min |
Introduction and Programme Overview
Moderator: Mr. Saengroj Srisawaskraisorn, Expert (SWITCH-Asia PSC) |
|
09:05 – 09:15 |
10 min |
Welcome Remarks by ACEBA Thailand Lead
Speaker: Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, President, Thailand Environment Institute and ACEBA Thailand Lead |
|
09:15 – 09:25 |
10 min |
Welcome remarks by EU Delegation to Thailand Speaker: Mr. Michael Bucki, Counsellor (Environment) |
|
09:25 – 09:40 |
15 min |
Introducing ACEBA
Speaker: Mr. Thomas Thomas, Co-convenor (ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance), Chairman (ARAIBA Sdn Bhd) and Senior Expert (SWITCH-Asia) |
|
09:40 – 10:00 |
20 min |
Why Circular Economy Matters for Business
Speaker: Dr. Rene van Berkel, co-convenor (ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance), Senior Expert (SWITCH-Asia) and International Faculty (Thammasat University) |
|
10:00 – 10:05 |
5 min |
ACEBA: Circular Economy by Southeast Asian businesses (Video) |
|
10:05 – 10:30 |
25 min |
Panel: Early Adopters of the Circular Economy in Thai Business
Moderators: Mr. Saengroj Srisawaskraisorn, Expert (SWITCH-Asia PSC); Ms. Pinyada Charoensin, Director, Environment Network and Climate Change Program (TEI/ACEBA Thailand) Panelists: Mr. Pongsan Wongsermhiran, Director of Research, Development and Innovation (Thai Wacoal), and Mr. Trin Rujiravanich, Environmental & Social Entrepreneur & CEO (BetterFly) |
|
10:30 – 10:40 |
10 min |
ACEBA Thailand 2026 Roadmap What the alliance plans to deliver this year (webinars, company visits, forum, facilitation programs, and business cases) Moderator: Mr. Saengroj Srisawaskraisorn, Expert (SWITCH-Asia) |
|
10:40 – 10:50 |
10 min |
Open Q&A Moderators: Mr. Saengroj Srisawaskraisorn (SWITCH-Asia), and Ms. Pinyada Charoensin (ACEBA Thailand) |
|
10:55 – 11:00 |
5 min |
Closing Remarks & Call for Action Moderators: Mr. Saengroj Srisawaskraisorn (SWITCH-Asia), and Ms. Pinyada Charoensin (ACEBA Thailand) |
|
11:00 – 11:30 |
30 min |
Networking & Coffee Break (Onsite) |
