On September 25, 2023, Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), welcomed Ms. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director and Representative of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to discuss development cooperation in the field of the environment at Meeting Room 2, TICA.  Mrs. Arunee Hiam, Deputy Director-General of TICA, and Ms. Chidchanok Malayawong, Director of Development Promotion and Coordination Division, as well as UNEP and TICA staff also attended the meeting.

Both sides exchanged experiences in promoting sustainable development and environmental protection. UNEP informed that UNEP is responsible for environmental issues under the United Nations (UN) and assisting Member States on setting environmental agendas and promoting and supporting environmental initiatives, including a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. Their work covers wide areas including Natural Capital Accounting (NCA), the Carbon Market, Organic Agriculture, and Marine Ecosystem conservation, all aligned with environmental dimensions.

Both sides discussed on a project proposal entitled “Greening the Thailand plastic value chain to reduce, recycle, and reuse plastic waste,” proposed by the Department of Pollution Control that expecting contribution from UNEP and KOICA.  The Director-General of TICA viewed it as a benefit for Thailand and extended support to the project. The Director-General of TICA also shared her view that innovation, research and development (R&D) are crucial in promoting green growth. She also share TICA’s CSR project "Send Me (Orphan Waste) Home," with UNEP on how the project helps raise awareness about efficient plastic waste management among staff, organizations, and communities in the area.