GCoM Asia Project Closing Workshop: Advancing Climate Action in Asia for Resilient Cities

Bangkok, 12-13 June 2024 | After three and a half years of implementation, the European Union-funded GCoM Asia Project is coming to an end. Since 2021, the project has worked across eight Asian countries, supporting climate action for over 250 cities. Through technical assistance, capacity building, networking, and knowledge-sharing activities, the GCoM Asia Project has helped local climate action planning and implementation at the city level.

This workshop, titled ‘Advancing Climate Action for Resilient Cities,’ was an excellent opportunity to showcase collective achievements, share lessons learned, and discuss ways to move forward to strengthen actions and achieve climate goals. The event was attended by 120 participants from GCoM cities and technical partners from most Asian contract countries (Republic of Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia) as well as selected city representatives from European cities. It included opening remarks by the EU Ambassador, H.E. David Daly, the Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, and the Brussels-based Head of Unit of the EU Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), Ms. Irène Mingasson. The workshop included keynotes from Paulo Barbosa from the EU’s Joint Paulo Barbosa and Bangkok’s Chief Sustainability Officer Mr. Pornprom Vikitsreth. The event included a GCoM badging ceremony for 23 cities participating. The main part of the workshop consisted of six thematic sessions dealing with mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Asian and European cities. Also, GCoM partners from the Asian region could share their thoughts regarding the future GCoM support through their organisations. Day 1 of the workshop was summarised and closed by Ms. Alexandra Lehmann from the EU FPI regional team Asia-Pacific.

Day 2 of the closing workshop focused on an interactive session by European cities and Asian cities showcasing their climate action plans and proposing avenues for future collaboration. It included a site visit to the Noi Canal in Bangkok, which is a possible place proposed by a feasibility study to roll out a curtains solution to clean the waterways. The GCoM Closing Workshop was moderated by Rona Ikram (GCoM SEA Secretariat) and Pablo Gándara (GCoM Asia Team Leader).

Overall Organisation of the Workshop

Day 1 Activities

• Opening remarks by Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand H.E. David Daly, Governor of Bangkok Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, and Head of Unit at Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) at the European Commission Ms. Irène Mingasson.
• Badging Ceremony for GCoM Cities, facilitated by Ms. Thao Nguyen and Ms. Isabella Hutasoit, recognising the achievements of GCoM signatories in Asia.
• Overview of Climate Action in Europe by Paulo Barbosa from the European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC), followed by insights on Bangkok’s Climate Action from Mr. Pornprom Vikitsreth, Chief Sustainability Officer from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
• Video presentations on GCoM Asia project results and pilot actions in Southeast Asia by GCoM Asia Project Director Milana Pavlovic.
• Six panel discussions on Adaptation to Climate Change, Circular Economy and Waste Management, Sustainable Mobility, Energy Transition, Reporting on GHG Mitigation, and Climate Finance.
• Contributions by GCoM partners to future climate action in cities, with support from GCoM regional partners.
• Pre-recorded video from Mr. Piero Remitti from the GCoM Global Secretariat, followed by a wrap-up of discussions and next steps by Ms. Alexandra Lehmann from the EU FPI.

Day 2 Activities

• Presentation from Vilanova de Famalicao on their “Climate Neutrality Roadmap” and from Klimatorium Lemvig on climate adaptation measures and youth engagement on climate action.
• Interactive workshop where cities showcased their CAPs, highlighting challenges and solutions, with participation from cities across Southeast Asia, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
• Site visit to a Bubble Barrier for Bangkok’s waterways, addressing plastic pollution in the Chao Praya River and canals. The visit, conducted by The Great Bubble Barrier (TGBB) and BMA experts, demonstrated the feasibility of the Bubble Barrier system to capture plastic debris before it reaches the oceans.

Opening Session