The visit of a group of Chinese academics and experts to Bangkok from 12 to 14 June 2024 marked the first in-person visit by the Chinese partners involved in the Urban-Act project since its inception in 2022. The delegation comprised academic and technical experts from Tongji University, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), the Shanghai Urban Planning & Design Research Institute (SUPDRI), and the National Climate Center (NCC) of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). The three-day agenda was filled with a comprehensive two-day regional training programme and meetings with ministerial bodies and academic institutions in Thailand.
The Urban-Act regional training programme, designed and coordinated by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and the University of Melbourne, Australia, aims to enhance knowledge and foster communication and collaboration among national and city stakeholders from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The programme focuses on low-carbon and resilient urban development, climate-sensitive planning, and inclusive urban action, all aimed at addressing climate change. As a significant component of the Urban-Act project, this regional training programme consists of six online and offline sessions during 2024 and 2025.
Regional Training in Bangkok © Tooptong Liamsuwan GIZ Urban-Act Thailand Component
The visit of a group of Chinese academics and experts to Bangkok from 12 to 14 June 2024 marked the first in-person visit by the Chinese partners involved in the Urban-Act project since its inception in 2022. The delegation comprised academic and technical experts from Tongji University, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), the Shanghai Urban Planning & Design Research Institute (SUPDRI), and the National Climate Center (NCC) of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). . The three-day agenda was filled with a comprehensive two-day regional training programme and meetings with ministerial bodies and academic institutions in Thailand.
The Urban-Act regional training programme, designed and coordinated by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and the University of Melbourne, Australia, aims to enhance knowledge and foster communication and collaboration among national and city stakeholders from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The programme focuses on low-carbon and resilient urban development, climate-sensitive planning, and inclusive urban action, all aimed at addressing climate change. As a significant component of the Urban-Act project, this regional training programme consists of six online and offline sessions during 2024 and 2025.
Regional training in Bangkok © Liam O’Connor ESCAP
The training during June 2024 marks the inaugural event focusing on multi-level climate action, vertical and horizontal climate governance, and integration. It included presentations, group discussions and a site visit. Dr. Wang Xin, from the Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development at Tongji University, delivered an insightful presentation on China’s ecological pilot projects planning in the Yangtze Delta River Region. He showcased various green research and evaluation projects undertaken by Tongji University, encompassing topics such as the ecological impacts of the Disneyland theme park, food waste management, and building renovations.
Regional training in Bangkok © GIZ Urban-Act China Component
One of the lessons learned from these projects: Implementation tends to achieve greater success in more affluent regions while facing more challenges in less developed areas, Dr. Wand emphasised.
Regional Training in Bangkok © Xu Hongmei ESCAP
To strengthen networking and cooperation under the Urban Act project on climate services, low-carbon and climate-resilient urban transportation systems, and ecological spatial planning, the Chinese delegation visited Thailand’s key ministerial institutions and engaged in discourse with local universities. These included the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT), the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD), Chulalongkorn University, and Thammasat University. This delegation trip marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among project partners from China and Thailand. We look forward to witnessing the fruits of this collaboration in the near future.
Exchange with ONEP © ONEP
Compared to other partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region involved in the Urban-Act project, China possesses extensive experience and good practices in climate services, low-carbon transportation planning, and the development of green and ecological cities. Achieving net-zero carbon emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius requires collaborative efforts, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, home to 60% of the world’s population. As a knowledge partner in the Urban-Act project, China has the potential and responsibility to assume a more prominent role in global efforts to combat climate change.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Urban-Act project!
