Post by : Shakul

The Ministry of Interior of Thailand, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, is accelerating efforts to promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) localization at the local level, with a strong focus on building greener cities and improving the quality of life for citizens.

Officials highlighted the success of the “Waste Bank” initiative as a key example of how sustainability programs are being implemented effectively in communities across the country.

The discussions took place during a meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, where senior officials from both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and future development strategies for sustainable urban growth.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Chaiwat Chuenkosum stated that the ministry is committed to translating all 17 SDGs into practical local-level actions, ensuring that development reaches every community and leaves no one behind.

He emphasized that Thailand’s approach to sustainability includes urban planning, green city development, expansion of public spaces, and improved housing standards through initiatives such as the “Blueprint for the People” project.

A major focus of the collaboration is the Waste Bank project, which applies circular economy principles and the 3R model—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—to manage waste more efficiently while generating community participation.

According to officials, waste banks have now been established across all 878 districts in Thailand, with more than 8.7 thousand operational locations and over 3.5 million registered members nationwide.

The program is also aligned with the national “Clean Province” initiative, where provincial governors play a central role in coordinating waste management strategies across all regions.

Thailand is also working with UN-Habitat and UNDP on a Local Finance Accelerator project aimed at strengthening climate-resilient development in pilot provinces such as Surat Thani and Khon Kaen.

Officials further noted that Thailand’s achievements in sustainable urban development have earned recognition from UN-Habitat, which has invited the country to participate in the World Urban Forum in 2028 and consider hosting the event in 2030.

The Interior Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continued cooperation with international partners to build sustainable cities, improve environmental management, and enhance the overall well-being of citizens.

#Thailand News #sustainability #Policy #Development #Government