By Nichakarn Muangsanit
The SX Sustainability Expo was inspiring to visit and be part of, it is one of the main Sustainability mega-events in Thailand and Asean, bringing together businesses, innovators, policymakers, and sustainability leaders all working towards environmental and socially responsible, economic, and sustainable ideas, talks and ecosystems.
The SX Sustainability Expo is held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention and Exhibition Center QSNCC in Bangkok, between 27th of September until the 6th of October 2024.
Co-founded by PTT Group, SCG, ThaiBev, Thai Union, Frasers Property and organized by C-Asean, the event is supported by media, government, and many industry stakeholders, creating purposeful exhibition space where businesses and citizens of all ages from Thailand and the ASEAN region could connect, share ideas, and address environmental challenges, also engage in social and economic initiatives.
This kind of collaboration is vital for helping the Thai and ASEAN communities to move forward in a positive and sustainable way, adopting a sustainable mindset, familiarizing with Sustainable Development Goals. It was informative, exciting and engaging for the visitors to see and experience so many creative ideas, smart solutions, and new technologies focused on building a better future in businesses, economy, and society.
Many organizations were present with their booths, team members to present sustainable strategies and procedures, both from Thailand and internationally, including the World Bank, CPF, Med Park Hospital, the Ministry of Interior, SCG, Kubota, and ThaiBev.
A great emphasis was put in promoting Zero Carbon Emissions, advancing a work life philosophy of zero-waste living.
The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand – JFCCT as a partner organization was actively present, awareness amongst members businesses , with key objectives to engage with innovative solutions, encouraging participation in workshops and talks, and promoting network with sustainability leaders, with a motto to create positive change together by taking actionable steps towards sustainability in our communities and businesses! At the helm of the campaign and leadership, Chairwoman Mrs. Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag, Vice Chairman Dr. Supareak Charlie Chomchan, Sustainable Development Committee Chair Martin Venzky-Stalling, International Trade Committee Chairman, Mr. Marcelo Souza, and Mr. Anthony Hoglund, Chair of the JFCCT Tourism Committee.
It is very encouraging to see how Thai companies are leading in sustainability. For example, CPF is using biodegradable plastic packaging, and for their paper packaging, they have FSC certification, meaning they only use trees specifically grown for packaging, not trees from natural forests. These companies are making sure their entire process, from production to retail, is environmentally responsible.
One of our favorite booths was SCG’s. They’ve created a tool called KIT CARBON, which helps companies measure the carbon footprint of different materials, allowing them to choose the most eco-friendly options. SCG is also working with Fraser Property on the “One Bangkok” project, which shows how committed they are to sustainable building. We believe other businesses can learn a lot from SCG’s efforts in being eco-friendly.
The expo also hosted the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum 2024, organized by the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ACESP), C-Asean, and the EU-funded Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI).
The forum focused on promoting the circular economy, which involves reusing and recycling materials. We found the discussions on working together, investing in green projects, and sharing knowledge really encouraging. We hope more companies raise awareness about sustainability and that customers start supporting brands that truly care about the environment. It’s up to both businesses and people to make a real difference.
Finally, we had an opportunity to participate at the SX 2024 immersive Sustainability Workshop by Ennova, UNGCNT, and JFCCT. A highlight of the workshop was the 2030 SDGs Game, an immersive, multiplayer simulation where 30+ participants worked together to achieve a fair, sustainable future. The game challenged us to think critically about global sustainability and collaborate on solutions to meet the 2030 SDGs. Martin Venzky-Stalling, the lead facilitator, guided us through both the workshop and the game, with support from facilitators David and Nong. The 3-hour session was conducted mainly in English, with Thai instructions and translations provided to ensure full participation.
Armenian – Thai Chamber of Commerce
41/5 Silom Soi 19, Silom Road,
Silom Sub-district, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500,
Thailand
Tel: +66 2 2362594
