Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President of NXPO and Thailand’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Coordinator, was invited to participate in the Global Technology Needs Assessment Workshop on 12-13 March 2025 at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC).
The workshop facilitated knowledge exchange on the implementation of TNA and Technology Action Plans (TAPs) to drive progress toward the Paris Agreement goals, with a particular focus on translating plans into action.
The event gathered representatives from over 30 countries participating in the fourth and fifth phase of the Global TNA Project, alongside key financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Discussions highlighted the critical role of financial mechanisms and investment cooperation in advancing technology solutions for climate action.
Dr. Surachai shared Thailand’s experiences as a success story, having received GEF support for the previous TNA project and currently undertaking TNA Phase V. He highlighted key lessons learned, including the identification of priority technologies for Thailand, the integration of TNA outcomes into national planning, and the challenges of implementation. He also emphasized the importance of financial mechanisms in unlocking investment for technology transfer and scaling, ensuring alignment with both national and global climate commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
TNA is a process used by countries to identify and prioritize technologies essential for climate adaptation and mitigation. It is conducted at the national level with financial and technical support from international organizations such as UNEP and UNEP-CCC.
TNA also plays a crucial role in international climate negotiations, including the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. Countries can leverage TNA outcomes to bolster their negotiations and secure financial and technological support.
Thailand successfully completed TNA Phase I and is now advancing TNA Phase V with GEF funding. This will enable the country to develop strategies and projects aligned with greenhouse gas reduction targets and long-term financing opportunities while fostering private sector engagement. Thailand has been recognized as a global case study for effectively integrating TNA findings into national policies, leading to clearer, more efficient climate action implementation.
For more information on this workshop, please visit: https://www.unep.org/events/workshop/global-technology-needs-assessment-workshop
