EVENT UPDATE: Low Carbon-Transport in Progress: Transforming Transport in Asia
Daily updates from the June 2024 Conference in Bangkok
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Daily updates from the June 2024 Conference in Bangkok 〰️
The 2024 regional conference of the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA) will discuss the necessary transformations to set transport on a sustainable path to zero emissions by mid-century, ensuring climate action and prosperity.
Regional Conference in Bangkok
From 25 to 28 June 2024, "Low-Carbon Prosperity in Progress: Transforming Transport in Asia", the regional conference of the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC TIA), will take place in Bangkok, Thailand.
It will address the urgent need for sustainable transport solutions in the region, aiming to achieve zero emissions by mid-century. It will focus on collaborative efforts and successes in decarbonising the transport sector across Asia, including China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand. Representatives from Cambodia and Indonesia will also participate in the conference.
A stocktake of transforming transport in Asia
The event will bring together government representatives, civil society, practitioners and the private sector from Asian countries and beyond, providing a platform for live exchanges and thematic sessions to foster peer learning and promote a holistic approach to decarbonisation. Through the conference, we aim to strengthen ties within the transport community across Asia and identify additional steps needed to transform our transport-energy systems.
Beyond these countries, at the regional and global level, the programme connects to additional countries in Southeast Asia, to share lessons learned, to enhance transport decarbonisation leadership, and promote efficient multi-stakeholder coordination between government ministries, civil society, and the private sector.
Daily Updates
Follow this page each date to see how NDC-TIA experts and implementation partners take stock, share lessons learned, celebrate successes, and look at the next steps to scale up action to ensure zero emissions and a prosperous future in Asia.
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The NDC-TIA Conference began with an engaging pre-conference day on 25th June. The day was filled with enthusiastic registration and interactive press meetings. Participants came together for collaborative discussions, laying the groundwork for transformative conversations about decarbonising transportation in Asia.
During the official opening, Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy, and Dr. Punya Chupanit, Director General of OTP, delivered keynote speeches, offering strategic insights into the future of transportation in the region.
At the NDC-TIA Conference, Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, delivered an inspiring talk, introducing the principles of "travelling together, travelling clean, travelling less." He highlighted Bangkok's innovative approach to urban mobility, emphasising initiatives such as decentralising infrastructure projects to improve walkability and implementing the "15-minute park policy" to reduce travel demand. Mr. Vikitsreth's talk set a compelling narrative for the conference, inspiring attendees to explore innovative solutions and collaborative efforts in advancing sustainable transport across Asia.
During the press corner, high-level participants such as Dr. Chupanit, Mr. Vikitsreth, Glynda Bathan-Baterina (Deputy Executive Director from Clean Air Asia), and Vera Scholz (Head of the Division in GIZ’s Asia & Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean Department) shared their perspectives.
This dynamic exchange on Day 1 set a precedent for the conference, emphasising collaboration and innovative solutions to tackle the pressing challenges of facilitating a paradigm shift to zero-emission transport across Asia.
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(This is a summary of planned activities; updates from Bangkok are available soon)
Day 2 features regional perspectives from the Council for Decarbonizing Transport in Asia, insights from political partners in China, India, and Vietnam, and a panel discussion on industry transformation. Plenary sessions cover NDC implementation, stakeholder engagement, and emissions standards.
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(This is a summary of planned activities; updates from Bangkok are available soon)
Day 3 offers interactive sessions on zero-emission trucking, fossil-free transport transition, climate finance access, and equity in sustainable transport. Workshops on financial tools in Thailand and stories from "Women on the Move" are followed by a World Café and panel with political partners,.
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(This is a summary of planned activities; updates from Bangkok are available soon)
Day 4 concludes with a site visit to Energy Absolute’s EV and Battery Plants in Bangkok, showcasing sustainable transport innovations and their impact on achieving climate goals.
Highlights and Looking Ahead
After the conference, we will share the highlights of key takeaways and lessons that resonated with the experts and participants. With climate targets and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due to be updated in 2025, we believe the conference will contribute to the knowledge and international partnerships necessary to raise climate ambitions for transport in Asia. Please stay tuned for the future of our program: NDC-Transforming Transport in Asia.
Authors: K. Zé Liu; Hannah Eberhardt; Urda Eichhorst.
