Thailand is taking a leading role in representing the interests and linking efforts of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China to a number of climate negotiation groups in both developing and developed countries. It is a great opportunity as well as challenge for Thailand to facilitate and coordinate with 135 nations on various issues under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations.

In this regard, GIZ and ONEP conducted a training workshop on “Negotiations and Conflict Resolution” on 25-27 July 2016 in Bangkok. The training workshop, which saw the participation of ONEP, key stakeholders and other relevant entities in Thailand, aimed to enhance the negotiating skills and understanding of climate change diplomacy within the UNFCCC context, to identify related protocol and agreements, as well as respective commitments and negotiating positions. It also appraised the key issues in the ongoing international climate change negotiations and developments at recent negotiation sessions and conferences.

The organisers were honoured to have Dr. Adrian Macey and Dr. Vanchai Vatanasapt providing insights and sharing their expertise in this workshop. Dr. Macey is a former Ambassador to France and Algeria and a former Chair of the UN Kyoto Protocol. Dr. Vanchai established a centre which later became the Office of Peace and Governance at King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), a think tank for Parliamentarians, and the RUC School of Leadership and Just Peace Development.

The 3 topics selected for the main points of discussion and exercises were Paris Agreement transparency, means of implementation, and climate change adaptation. Other issues included key issues and challenges for Thailand in climate change negotiations, both in terms of national interest and as Chair of the G77, the role of the Chair in climate change negotiations, identifying the zone of possible agreement (ZOPA) and knowing the best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA) and communications including language in negotiations.

The training workshop on Negotiations and Conflict Resolutions could be applied successfully to the work of the participants, especially during the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP22) to be held in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016. This event confirms the significance of the Thai government’s preparations to enter into the Paris Agreement, with Thailand ratifying the Paris Agreement and submitting the necessary documentation to the UNFCCC in September 2016.