The close and amicable bonds between Thailand and Denmark developed over the last 400 years have given the two countries a solid foundation that can be built on to transform the historical relations into a robust partnership for the future. Both countries share many common agendas with emphasis on sustainability and a value-based economy driven by technology, innovation and creativity.

As the world faces the challenges of climate change, which is exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic that crippled the global economy, in January 2021, the Royal Thai Government declared the “Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model” a national development agenda and strategy for post pandemic sustainable recovery. The BCG Model seeks to capitalize on Thailand’s biodiversity, while strengthening the capacity of local communities and optimizing the use of new technology and innovation, in order to achieve more inclusive and sustainable growth. It builds on the principles of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. It also conforms with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to promote balanced economic development without exceeding environmental capacity.

It is no coincidence that Denmark is one of the global front runners in Bio-Circular-Green Economy. It is a food and farming country, which has successfully transformed from traditional practices to modern production by using technology and innovation to increase efficiency and create more value. Denmark is also known for its strong commitment to green energy transition and ambitious climate target. The Danish Government has set a goal to reduce emission by 70% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and now very well on track to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030 according to new research from GlobalData.

Thailand’s new focus on the BCG Model presents tremendous opportunities for new technical and commercial partnerships between the two countries going forward. The two countries already have a long history of technical cooperation with one of the most successful projects being the transfer of Danish expertise in milk production to Thailand under the “Thai-Danish Dairy Farm” project. The red dairy cattle logo on the Thai-Danish milk cartons can still be found all over Thailand today.

Earlier this year, during 31 May - 2 June 2021, the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen, in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), organized the “Thai – Danish Cooperation on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model” webinar series to commemorate the 400^th Anniversary of the First Contact between the two countries. The webinar brought together key stakeholders both public and private from Thailand and Denmark to exchange experience and knowledge as well as to promote new business and investment partnership in the BCG-related industries. This collaboration is part of the new chapter of Thai – Danish relations where the two countries can work together to achieve a common goal of healthier, greener, and more inclusive future.

Credits:

https://electricalreview.co.uk/2021/09/03/denmark-on-track-to-achieve-100-renewable-electricity-generation-by-2030/

https://www.nxpo.or.th/th/en/bcg-in-action/

https://www.nstda.or.th/thaibioeconomy/bcg-concept.html

Photos:

Picture 1: The four areas of Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) Model to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

Picture 2: From left to right, Mr. Jan Laustsen, Director of Trade and Market Relations, Danish Agriculture & Food Council; Mr. Thomas Thors, Mayor of the Regional Municipality of Bornholm; Mr. Thanapoom Rimchala, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., and Ms. Waranya Chanthapun, Counsellor, Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen; Mr. Finn Mortensen, Executive Director, State of Green; at the policy-maker session of the “Thai – Danish Cooperation on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model” webinar series on 31 May 2021.

Pictures 3-6: Some of the participants and guest speakers, who attended the “Thai – Danish Cooperation on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model” webinar series, which was held during 31 May - 2 June 2021.