Bangkok Partners with 15 Embassies and UNESCAP Signing the “Eco-Capitals Forum 2025” Advancing Environmental Action Toward a Sustainable City.

On 18 November 2025, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), led by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, joined 15 embassies and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in signing an environmental and sustainability pledge under the Eco-Capitals Forum. The signing ceremony took place at the Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (Suan Mokkh Bangkok) and aims to advance Bangkok toward becoming “a livable city for all.”

Bangkok’s environmental cooperation with international indices and institutions began in 2016, when 16 international organizations partnered with the city to sign the first joint declaration. At that time, the collaboration was voluntary, focusing on initiating dialogue and raising awareness on environmental priorities.

Although the initiative made steady progress, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed activities. However, the spirit of cooperation remained strong. In 2024, the collaborative framework was revived when the embassies of Switzerland, Denmark, and the United States reached out to the BMA, along with other partner embassies, to renew their joint environmental commitment.

The Eco-Capitals Forum aims to foster proactive environmental collaboration among the BMA, foreign embassies, and international organizations by having each embassy prepare an individual Action Plan.

The partnership is structured around eight areas of cooperation: 1) Waste management, 2) Transportation, 3) Climate adaptation and green space expansion, 4) Energy conservation and renewable energy, 5) Air quality, 6) Water resources, 7) Sustainable food systems, and 8) Green economy promotion. This framework aligns closely with Bangkok’s environmental policies and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A total of 15 embassies and international organizations signed the pledge: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and UNESCAP.

Ambassador of Denmark to Thailand H.E. Mr. Danny Annan emphasized that Denmark is strongly committed to supporting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in its mission to build a greener, more sustainable city. He noted that Denmark and Thailand share a long history of collaboration on nature conservation and sustainability, stating, “Today, we reaffirm our joint commitment to advancing greener and more sustainable urban development. Denmark is honored to work alongside Bangkok as a leading city in Thailand and the region.” Today, 15 diplomatic missions and members of the UN family participate, reflecting a unified effort to promote greener and more sustainable urban environments. Ambassador Annan stressed that while each country is different, all cities share a common responsibility to build a healthier, safer future for the next generation.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand H.E. Pedro Zwahlen stated that the renewed pledge marks a shift from “good intentions” to “concrete action.” Unlike the first declaration, each embassy and organization has now developed its own Action Plan aligned with the BMA’s environmental priorities, enabling measurable and tangible progress.

He highlighted that these plans demonstrate a joint commitment to reducing environmental impacts, promoting innovation, and setting positive examples through the embassies’ own operations. The Swiss Embassy has implemented several improvements to promote sustainability, including a comprehensive waste management system, rooftop solar panels capable of generating all electricity during daylight hours, rainwater harvesting for gardening, the use of electric vehicles (EVs) for official duties, and stricter energy-use controls. He noted that adjusting air-conditioning temperatures by just 1-2°C can reduce energy consumption by up to 10% without requiring major technological upgrades.

He also mentioned that the embassy recently completed renovations using the latest energy-efficient technologies, reducing its Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by up to 53%. He emphasized that investments in sustainable energy typically pay for themselves within seven years and lead to long-term savings.

Ambassador Zwahlen added that the Eco-Capitals Forum provides a platform for embassies to share best practices, exchange experiences, and learn from one another, reflecting the “true spirit of the forum”: turning inspiration into action. He stressed that responsibility for progress is shared equally among all members and that collective ownership makes the initiative “distinctive and powerful.”

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana underscored that international cooperation is the cornerstone of sustainable development, noting that no city, country, or institution can address climate challenges alone. She lauded the Eco-Capitals Forum as “a shining example of cross-sector and cross-border collaboration,” showing how local actions can meaningfully contribute to global sustainability goals.

Armida also shared that the UN compound in Bangkok has experienced firsthand the benefits of environmental initiatives, including reduced environmental footprint, improved operational efficiency, and a healthier workplace. Simple actions, she noted, such as serving sustainably-sourced seafood and environmentally conscious menus at conferences, demonstrate how small decisions can contribute to meaningful change. She reaffirmed the United Nations’ strong support for the BMA and all forum members, both in policy and practice, emphasizing that collaborative leadership, innovation, and shared solutions are critical to driving real transformation.

Governor Chadchart welcomed representatives from foreign embassies, international organizations, and diplomatic partners. He noted that the project began before the COVID-19 pandemic and has now been revitalized, marking an important milestone for Bangkok, the embassies, and UNESCAP in addressing environmental challenges and strengthening capacity in multiple areas.

He emphasized that the signing represents two key principles: Action and Collaboration. Throughout his tenure, support from the diplomatic community has helped Bangkok significantly expand green spaces, including major public parks and “15-Minute Parks,” which now number more than 400 across the city. Over 2 million trees have been added to increase green spaces and help filter dust. The city has also planted tens of thousands of new trees, including during the event’s symbolic tree-planting activity.

In terms of waste management, he stated that Bangkok has been inspired by successful examples from partner countries such as Denmark in implementing waste sorting within residential buildings, leading the city to initiate the “BKK Waste Pay” policy in October, the city’s first comprehensive system requiring organic waste to be separated from general waste. The initiative has been well-received by residents.

Following the signing ceremony, representatives planted 17 Monkey Flower Trees at Vachirabenjatas Park (Suan Rot Fai), symbolizing the launch of the Eco-Capitals Forum 2025 and the growing international collaboration for environmental sustainability in Bangkok.

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