Thailand: Asia’s Leader in Sustainable Development
Bangkok—Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra underscored Thailand’s unwavering dedication to sustainable development, highlighting the nation’s continued momentum after being recognized as ASEAN’s leader in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for six consecutive years. Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Address Luncheon 2025, hosted by the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) yesterday, Ms. Shinawatra delivered a compelling address titled «Sustainable Thailand—Advancing with Reforms,» outlining the government’s vision for a resilient and environmentally conscious future.
The Prime Minister emphasized the vital role of public-private partnerships in fostering competitiveness within today’s rapidly evolving global economy. She stressed the importance of these collaborations in achieving flexible, long-term economic growth, a key ambition of her administration. Reinforcing Thailand’s commitment to international cooperation, Ms. Shinawatra reiterated the nation’s pledge to fulfill all 17 SDGs by 2030.
Highlighting Thailand’s remarkable progress in SDG implementation between 2019 and 2024, Ms. Shinawatra noted the country’s ascension in global rankings. In 2024, Thailand secured 45th place on the World SDGs Leaders list and a notable 3rd place in Asia, a testament to the nation’s dedicated efforts. Further solidifying its position on the global stage, Thailand received an invitation last year to pursue membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a significant milestone in its development trajectory.
Ms. Shinawatra explained that this invitation stemmed from the government’s proactive engagement with the OECD, including initiatives supporting environmentally responsible business practices and strategic investments in scientific and innovative solutions for carbon neutrality. These actions underscore Thailand’s commitment to collaborating with international organizations to drive sustainable development globally.
Central to Thailand’s sustainable economic vision is the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model. This innovative approach prioritizes resource efficiency, underpinning the country’s ambitious targets of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. The BCG model represents a holistic strategy for decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, promoting sustainable agriculture, bio-based industries, and circular economy principles, creating a virtuous cycle of resource utilization and minimizing waste.
Looking ahead, Ms. Shinawatra outlined ongoing projects aimed at significantly increasing the proportion of circulated energy production to at least 50% by 2040. This ambitious goal reflects Thailand’s dedication to environmental preservation and its commitment to building a more sustainable future for all its citizens. This shift towards circulated energy—reusing waste heat and other byproducts from industrial processes—further demonstrates the country’s commitment to innovative and integrated solutions for a cleaner energy future. The Prime Minister’s address served as a powerful reaffirmation of Thailand’s commitment to sustainable development, portraying a nation striving for both economic prosperity and environmental responsibility.
