On 19th January 2024, the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), C asean, and ThaiBev organised the “Sustainability Talks: Towards a Green ASEAN” at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, attended by with over 300 participants. The event featured a Special Talk by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and a Sofa Interview conducted by Dr. Nattha Komolvadhin, News Director of THE STANDARD on pathways towards a Green ASEAN.

H.E. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered opening remarks, emphasising the importance of accelerating actions on sustainable development, particularly on green finance, STI, and enhancing partnerships. He also reiterated Thailand’s commitment, as the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation, to foster regional cooperation towards a green and resilient future.

During the event, Professor Sachs reiterated the importance of creating a peaceful global community that is conducive for international cooperations. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals would require collective efforts from all nations along with systematic plans to achieve such goals. As for green transition in ASEAN, Professor Sachs reiterated the need for cooperative regional environment and listed six key points for ASEAN to achieve the Sustainable Development goals -- education, healthcare, clean Energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable urbanisation, and digital transformation. He also recommended that ASEAN should also work with close regional partners to enhance one another’s capacity on sustainable development and addressing climate change.