Thailand, New Zealand Boost Asia-Pacific Carbon Market Cooperation
Thailand hosted the 16th Asia Pacific Carbon Markets Roundtable in Bangkok on October 19-20, co-organized with New Zealand to strengthen regional carbon market cooperation. Minister Surachat Chomklin emphasized the platform's role in linking carbon credit mechanisms and advancing Net Zero goals, while a CORSIA training session equipped stakeholders to apply aviation carbon market tools. Officials highlighted international collaboration as essential for effective carbon market development and long-term emissions reduction.
Minister Surachat Chomklin is pushing Thailand-New Zealand cooperation to drive the Asia-Pacific carbon market, aiming to connect carbon credit mechanisms and support Net Zero goals. On October 21, 2026, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment advanced international collaboration on carbon markets, tasking the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) and the Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) (GMO) to co-host the 16th Asia Pacific Carbon Markets Roundtable (16th APCMR) with New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment from October 19-20, 2026, at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok. The event aims to exchange knowledge and elevate cooperation on carbon market mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific region to support greenhouse gas reduction and Net Zero targets.
The meeting was honored by H.E. Joanna Anderson, New Zealand's Ambassador to ASEAN, who delivered welcome remarks, and Dr. Pirun Saiyasitpanich, Director-General of DCCE, who gave the opening address. Experts and stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific shared perspectives on carbon markets, emissions trading systems, and the use of market mechanisms as tools to address climate change.
Minister Surachat stated that the APCMR serves as a crucial platform for promoting international cooperation to develop effective carbon market mechanisms conducive to transitioning toward a low-carbon society. This year, a technical training session on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) was also held on October 21, 2026, to enhance understanding among government agencies, project developers, airlines, and relevant parties to correctly and effectively apply aviation carbon market mechanisms.
Additionally, DCCE participated in a panel on "Regional Carbon Market Mechanisms and Interoperability" to exchange approaches on linking carbon market mechanisms between countries and promote capacity building and cross-sector cooperation to tangibly drive greenhouse gas reduction.
Nakorn Thakkavirapat, Director of GMO, emphasized that international cooperation and experience exchange are central to carbon market development. The APCMR provides a platform for countries to share knowledge and extend collaboration to support carbon market operations and long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals.
