On March 30, 2022, NSTDA Vice President Dr. Lily Eurwilaichitr presented Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model at the side event of the twenty-fifth session of United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).  Co-organized by UNCTAD, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, the side event on bioeconomy, circular economy and green economy for sustainable development provided an opportunity to discuss national and international experiences and identify strategies to promote the circular economy model to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and align with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP).

In this side event, Dr. Lily presented information on the BCG model which has been declared the national agenda for sustainable development by the Thai Government. Based on Thailand’s strengths in robust agricultural activities, rich natural resources, and diversity in terms of both biological resources and physical geography, the BCG model is applied to focus on promoting four industries – namely agriculture and food; medical and wellness; bioenergy, biomaterial and biochemical; and tourism and creative economy. Science, technology and innovation will be employed to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of players in the value chain, both upstream and downstream, coupling with innovative policy and supportive legal and financial measures. Joining the panel discussion to give global viewpoints on this issue were Mr. Yasutomo Nasu, Executive Director for Research, Vice President, Okayama University, Japan; Mr. Luca Mora, Professor of Urban Innovation, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, United Kingdom; Ms. Marise Almeida, Vice President, Business as Nature, Portugal; and Mr. Jim Philp, Science and Technology Policy Analyst, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The side event was participated by 130 audience members.

The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The commission annually holds an intergovernmental forum for discussion on timely and pertinent issues affecting science, technology and development.