Enviro News Asia, Bangkok — Stakeholders in Thailand have contributed to the development of an ASEAN Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Strategy through a national consultation held in Bangkok on January 29, 2026.
The consultation was organized by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and brought together policymakers, government officials, and representatives from international and non-governmental organizations. The meeting focused on identifying shared solid waste management challenges across Thai cities and defining areas where ASEAN-level support could strengthen national and local efforts.
The discussion produced a set of strategic elements and action pathways reflecting Thailand’s policy landscape, where relatively strong environmental regulations coexist with persistent implementation barriers. These inputs will be integrated into the drafting of the regional strategy.
The consultation formed part of the Advancing ASEAN–Korea Cooperation in Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management project, funded by the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Fund and implemented by GGGI in collaboration with regional partners. Similar consultations have been conducted in several other ASEAN member states.
The stakeholder dialogue followed the completion of a regional municipal solid waste assessment covering ASEAN countries. The assessment included waste flow mapping in 20 cities, identification of priority challenges, and documentation of best practices from the Republic of Korea and Singapore.
According to the organizers, the draft ASEAN Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Strategy will be circulated to stakeholders in February 2026 and finalized by April.
Participants in the Bangkok meeting included representatives from Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Pollution Control Department, the Department of Local Administration, and the Network for Sustainable Development Association. Panel discussions highlighted ongoing national efforts to prioritize waste reduction, improve food waste management, reduce reliance on landfills, and strengthen public awareness and participation at the local level. Social innovation and community engagement were also identified as key components for effective waste management.
GGGI’s Country Representative and ASEAN Program Development Lead, Jisu Min, stated that stakeholder inputs were essential to ensuring the regional strategy aligns with ASEAN’s broader development and sustainability goals while remaining practical and investable.
Officials from Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment emphasized that the consultation would help ensure the ASEAN strategy reflects the diverse contexts of member states and supports effective implementation toward improved solid waste management outcomes across the region. (*)
