NXPO participated in the BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025, held on 7-8 February 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event, themed Building Digital Public Infrastructure for Shared Prosperity, was organized by The Asia Group and the BIMSTEC Secretariat, with support from the Government of Sri Lanka and the Gates Foundation.
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional cooperation framework comprising seven member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It aims to foster collaboration across various sectors, including trade, environment, climate change, security, agriculture, science and technology, energy, transport, and regional connectivity.
The BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025 served as a key platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in advancing digital public infrastructure (DPI). The event brought together leaders and experts from BIMSTEC member states to discuss regional cooperation in building DPI to drive digital transformation and regional development. It featured discussions on topics such as digital identity, digital payment, digitization of health services, and governance.
Representing Thailand at the event were Dr. Pranpreya Sriwannawit Lundberg, Director of International Policy Partnership at NXPO under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), and Mr. Thachnawat Piriyatanapat from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
Dr. Pranpreya served as a panelist in the session on “Digital Transformation of Governance,” moderated by Ambassador Dr. A Saj U Mendis, Director of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Division at BIMSTEC, Sri Lanka. The discussion explored the role of digital technology in enhancing public administration, transparency, and citizen engagement, with representatives from BIMSTEC member states sharing their experiences and strategies for leveraging DPI to improve public services and government digital transformation.
Dr. Pranpreya highlighted Thailand’s progress in digital government development, referencing the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and E-Participation Index (EPI), assessed biennially by the United Nations (UN). In 2024, Thailand ranked 52nd in EGDI and 42nd in EPI out of 193 countries, the highest among BIMSTEC members. This marks a significant improvement from 2014, when Thailand was ranked 102nd and 54th, respectively. Key initiatives driving Thailand’s digital government transformation include Thailand Digital Government Development Plan (2023–2027) and Government Data Exchange (GDX).
MHESI has also established a higher education data platform, providing business intelligence (BI) dashboard with insights on students, personnel, institutions, graduation statistics, academic programs, and employment outcomes. This data-driven approach enables relevant agencies to design policies aligned with labor market demands. In addition, MHESI has developed systems to support research and innovation management, including:
- NRIIS (National Research and Innovation Information System): A national database centralizing research information, ensuring security, and reducing redundancy in research funding management.
- TNRR (Thai National Research Repository): A national repository compiling research knowledge and innovation, including publications, researcher profiles, and theses, making information more accessible to stakeholders.
- STIS (National Science and Technology Information System): A centralized database of national science and technology resources, including infrastructure and research capabilities, to maximize private sector impact.
Dr. Pranpreya also introduced the Policy Innovation Platform for the Better Future (PIP), a key initiative led by NXPO in collaboration with the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). PIP facilitates inclusive policymaking by engaging policymakers, experts, and the public in co-creating policies that effectively address emerging challenges.
Thailand’s participation in the BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025 underscores its commitment to advancing digital government transformation. The event provided a valuable opportunity for exchanges on best practices, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem among BIMSTEC member states.
