Bangkok, 10 November 2025 — At 14:00 hrs, Dr. Chayanan Pakdeejit, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, welcomed Ms. Niamh Collier-Smith, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand, and her delegation for a meeting to discuss ongoing and future cooperation. Representatives from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization), and the Foreign Affairs Division of the Office of the Permanent Secretary also participated in the discussions. The meeting took place in the conference room on the 17th floor of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Dr. Chayanan highlighted the key policy directives of Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), which focus on managing natural resources for the benefit of the people; promoting economic development and tourism based on the sustainable use of biodiversity; strengthening natural disaster management; addressing PM 2.5 and transboundary pollution; and advancing the national zero food waste agenda.

Both sides exchanged views on enhancing and expanding cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment across several priority areas. These include advancing climate change actions to achieve Thailand’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), promoting biodiversity conservation with an emphasis on community participation, and supporting innovation and finance for biodiversity and climate initiatives.

The meeting also discussed ongoing and future projects supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Adaptation Fund, as well as opportunities for technical cooperation and potential funding sources for upcoming initiatives.