On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, hosted a high-level exchange focused on advancing the green transition. The meeting welcomed Mr. Martijn Quinn, Deputy Head of the “Regional & Bilateral Environmental Cooperation” Unit from the European Commission’s Directorate General for Environment (DG ENV), and Mr. Michael Bucki, Counsellor for Environment, Agriculture & Health at the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand.
This visit aimed to deepen the environmental dialogue between the EU and Thailand, with a specific focus on the practical implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). By centering on these frameworks alongside sustainable textiles and circular design, the mission sought to harmonize regional policies with emerging global standards.
The dialogue provided a valuable platform for both public and private sector representatives to share insights and identify the support needed for a seamless transition. These exchanges ensure that the implementation of new regulations remains inclusive and that all key stakeholders are actively engaged.
The success of this coordination was made possible by a robust coalition of partners, including the Department of European Affairs, the Office of the Council of State, the Department of Industrial Works, the Department of Trade Negotiations, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Pollution Control Department. Contributions also came from the Office of Industrial Economics, the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research, the Bank of Thailand, MTEC, the Sustainable Environment Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University, the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), and GIZ.
Beyond governmental cooperation, the discussion was enriched by the expertise of private sector leaders from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, including Mr. Nophol Techaphangam, CEO of nornnorn, and Ms. Sasinat Panichjirakun, CEO of LOF and TSA Committee member. Their participation highlighted the essential link between policy development and industry practice.
ACESP remains dedicated to monitoring these developments and supporting ASEAN member states in navigating a just and inclusive transition toward a circular economy that fosters long-term regional prosperity.