SWITCH-Asia

On 5th June 2020, SWITCH-Asia Regional Policy Advocacy Component funded by European Union (EU), implemented by UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Institute of Public Policy and Development (IPPD) organized the WEBINAR: WED2020 Thailand 2020 and Beyond. A Webinar to enhance sustainable society in Thailand, through promotion of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and Conservation Biodiversity to celebrate UN’s World Environment Day 2020. It was also an opportunity to announce the first’s UNEP Goodwill Ambassador to Thailand. 

More than 66,000 viewers viewed the webinar. The webinar was opened for general public participation in Thailand through Live broadcast on FB of SWITCH-Asia, IPPD and their networks.

Official Welcome Remarks by Dr. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

We are in trying times, facing the dual threats of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-present climate crisis. A sustainable society and economy will be vital to our recovery and long-term welfare. This year’s World Environment Day theme of #ForNature is a reminder that the environment is at the heart of our well-being and is a prerequisite to build back better.

H.E. Mr Pirkka TAPIOLA, Ambassador, the European Union to the Kingdom of Thailand officially opened the event

Mainstreaming biodiversity is high on the EU agenda. We are determined to deliver on new wide-ranging standards for biodiversity cutting across trade, industry, agriculture and economic policy. This is why a comprehensive new biodiversity strategy is one of the key components of the European Green Deal – our new growth strategy.

Keynote Speaker HE. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Government of Thailand highlighted that

"Time for Nature: Find out what you can do” is the Theme of the 2020 World Environment Day. We need to be friendly to our nature and the change begins with each of us. Rethink to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and care for Nature and the Environment. Build Back Better with nature is the foundation of Green Economy which enhances achievement of the UN SDGs. Spreading of COVID19 has led us to the “New Normal” that could bring changes to everyone’s everyday life to live in harmony with nature for a better environment. This would increase the resilience of ourselves, our families, our societies, our country and our planet to any circumstances. On the occasion of the World Environment Day, MNRE is considering a set of policies to close the National Parks in Thailand for 3 months annually for wildlife and nature recovery and protecting our precious biodiversity and rich ecosystems. "It's time for Nature" for our future and the next generations. 

During the session, participants engaged in active discussions on the importance of biodiversity and to highlight important linkages between sustainable use of natural resources and human well-being especially safety and quality of life. Increasing threats to the health of humans and ecosystems is at an alarming rate and calling for more sustainable action-oriented policies from different authorities for a better and safer life. understanding major ongoing issues in the region that could be solved through a circular economy approach. Ultimately, there was a general consensus that circular economy is fundamental to reach sustainability objectives. 

To gauge general understanding on linkages of the general public on SCP and biodiversity and their consumption behavior, a one-minute short quiz was developed and launched on WED and will close by 30 June the players are allowed to post the final page on their social media after finishing the quiz. The Quiz is made in 3 languages: Chinese, Thai and English and available on mobile and desktop platform. The link to the Quiz is https://xhabitionstudio.com/fornature/

Learn more about this event here.

Contact: 

Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Memon
Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency
United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Project Manager
Regional Policy Advocacy Component
(SWITCH-Asia – the European Union funded programme)
Email: [email protected]