On 15 October 2023, NSTDA had the honor of hosting a visit from Dr. Gerd Müller, Director General of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Leading the NSTDA delegation in welcoming Dr. Müller was NSTDA President Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong.

NSTDA and UNIDO have maintained a long-standing and fruitful collaboration across several initiatives, with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of the current joint projects and explore potential collaborative endeavors in the areas of battery swapping, biotechnology and South-South cooperation.

Dr. Gerd Müller highlighted NSTDA’s key role in advancing industrial development in Thailand with projects such as piloting electric vehicles in Rayong; promoting the production of bioethanol from cassava which serves as an excellent model for South-South cooperation; implementing a cleantech program for SMEs and start-ups; and on the National Implementation Plan for the inventory of toxic chemicals listed in the Stockholm Convention.

Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong expressed his pleasure in welcoming Dr. Gerd Müller to NSTDA Headquarters which is located in Thailand Science Park. The visit is expected to further strengthen the tie between NSTDA and UNIDO and their joint collaboration in advancing sustainable development agenda in Thailand.

The visit program included an overview of NSTDA presented by Executive Vice President Dr. Janekrishna Kanatharana, as well as presentations on current joint projects, namely “The Pilot Case of Ethanol Production from Cassava” by BIOTEC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Kuakoon Piyachomkwan, and “Accelerating the Adoption and Life-cycle Solutions to Electric Mobility in Thailand” by ENTEC Executive Director Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul. Presentations on motorcycle battery swapping project by Dr. Sumittra and Sustainable Manufacturing Center (SMC) by NECTEC Executive Director Dr. Chai Wutiwiwatchai were made, providing both parties the basis for potential future collaboration.