As part of the series of events commemorating the APO’s Diamond Jubilee, the International Conference on Green Economy Growth: Synergizing Green Productivity and the Circular Economy was organized on 20 October in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference was held following the 63rd Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs (WSM) and attended by 170 participants including WSM delegates.

The opening remarks by APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata included a short history of the APO, followed by highlights of major initiatives. The Secretary-General explained that Green Productivity (GP) had been developed by the APO in 1994 to simultaneously enhance productivity and address environmental concerns for overall socioeconomic development. He emphasized the importance of clarifying how GP and the circular economy (CE) complement each other for future environment-related efforts.

Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, President of Thailand Environment Institute, Chairman of Circular Economy Sub-committee under BCG Model and former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, delivering his keynote speech.

In the keynote speech on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Strategies to Drive Productivity, President of the Thailand Environment Institute Dr. Wijarn Simachaya summarized Thailand’s experience in adopting the BCG model for sustainable economic development focusing on the post-COVID-19 era. Dr. Wijarn gave examples of four BCG strategies leading to the growth of a sufficiency and quality economy based on science, IT adoption, and innovation: building the sustainability of natural resources and biodiversity; creating the ability to respond to change; strengthening local economies; and enhancing sustainable competition at the BCG-based industrial level.

Three other speakers then gave presentations on different aspects of green and circular economies. Dr. Kim Schumacher, Associate Professor, Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies of Kyushu University, Japan, explained trends and challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding EU regulations to promote GP and the CE. Green Circularity Business Director Visut Chongcharoenkit, SCG Cement Co., Ltd., Thailand, introduced the trends, organizational transformation efforts, production redesign/upgrading, and marketing of bio-circular products in Thailand. Finally, Executive Director Narin Tijayang, Digital and Information Technology Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, shared national green tourism and green hospitality policy initiatives including challenges, marketing campaigns, and local experiences of tourism enterprises.