Thailand Participates in the 18th ASEAN Ministers of the Environment Meeting, Reaffirming Commitment to Address Environmental Issues and Climate Change

Bangkok, September 3, 2025 — At the instruction of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mrs. Oranuj Lorphensri, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, led the Thai delegation to participate in the 18th ASEAN Ministers of the Environment Meeting (18th AMME) at the Langkawi International Convention Centre, Malaysia. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia, together with environment ministers from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, and the ASEAN Secretary-General.

Joining the Thai delegation were Mr. Pavich Kesavawong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, along with representatives from the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Foreign Affairs Division of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. During the meeting, participants endorsed several key documents and initiatives. Six new ASEAN Heritage Parks were registered, with three sites from Malaysia and three from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, bringing the total number of ASEAN Heritage Parks across the region to 69. The three Malaysian sites included Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve as the 64th ASEAN Heritage Park, Bako National Park as the 65th, and Lambir Hills National Park as the 66th. The three sites from Vietnam included Xuan Thuy National Park as the 67th, Pu Mat National Park as the 68th, and Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve as the 69th ASEAN Heritage Park. The meeting also endorsed the draft ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change for submission at the UNFCCC COP30 and considered nominations for the 6th ASEAN Sustainable Cities Award. Additionally, participants noted progress on several regional initiatives, including the establishment of the ASEAN Climate Change Centre (ACCC), the formulation of the Post-2025 ASEAN Strategic Plan on the Environment (Post-2025 ASPEN), the development of the ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (ACCSAP), and preparations for the ASEAN Exhibition at UNFCCC COP30.

Thailand received notable recognition in the ASEAN Sustainable Cities program. Pak Kret Municipality in Nonthaburi Province was awarded as a Sustainable City, Hua Hin Municipality in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province received a Certificate for Clean Air in the small city category, and Thung Song Municipality in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province received a Certificate for Urban Biodiversity and Green Spaces, also in the small city category.

At the meeting, the Deputy Permanent Secretary highlighted Thailand’s policies and initiatives regarding climate change, environmental protection, and biodiversity. These included the drafting of the Climate Change Act, revision of Thailand’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), implementation of the High Integrity ASEAN Carbon Initiative (HACI), and national climate adaptation plans emphasizing community resilience, knowledge dissemination, funding allocation, and technology support. Thailand also presented its National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030, aligned with global biodiversity frameworks, while promoting nature-based solutions and measures to reduce plastic waste in marine environments. Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation with ASEAN member states in addressing environmental challenges and climate change, emphasizing fairness, community participation, and cross-sector collaboration.