On 7 February 2024, Reinhold Elges, Country Director of GIZ Thailand, along with GIZ staff, paid a formal visit to Preeyaporn Suwanaged, Director General of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), at the PCD Building to congratulate her on her new position and to discuss ongoing projects under the cooperation framework with PCD, as well as potential collaboration on bilateral and regional projects.

Preeyaporn Suwanaged, Director General of the Pollution Control Department, emphasised the longstanding collaboration between PCD and GIZ, noting GIZ’s invaluable contributions in various areas, particularly in Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). This partnership enhances PCD’s initiatives with a preventive approach, complementing ongoing waste management projects. Moreover, the department’s strategic objectives for the upcoming year focus on five primary areas: air quality management, with a particular emphasis on mitigating the PM2.5 issue, enhancing the capabilities of local government entities in solid waste management; and addressing challenges related to plastic waste, hazardous waste, and water quality management.

Reinhold Elges, Country Director of GIZ Thailand, expressed gratitude to PCD, nothing that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the strategic cooperation between PCD and GIZ. GIZ takes pride in the strength of this partnership and remains committed to supporting PCD in fulfilling its mission, both now and in the years to come. He also emphasised the significant value the German government places on its partnership with Thailand, particularly in advancing the climate agenda.

Regarding the implementation of projects within the cooperation framework, project directors, Alvaro Zurita and Kai Hoffmann, provided updates for each project on which GIZ collaborated with PCD. These projects include:

1. Scaling up Sustainable Consumption and Production (Scaling SCP) Project
2. Marine litter prevention through reduction, sustainable design and recycling of plastic packaging (MA-RE-DESIGN)
3. Collaborative Action for Single-Use Plastic Prevention in Southeast Asia (CAP SEA)
4. ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE)
5. Integrated Approaches for Air Quality Management & Climate Change in Southeast Asia (SSF) – Preparation of a regional approach for Southeast Asia.

In terms of future collaboration, it was noted that the project proposal “Integration Guidelines for Climate Protection and Air Quality Improvement in the Southeast Asian Coastal States/Mekong River Basin (SEACAI)” was being prepared. This initiative will concentrate its efforts on the greater Mekong region and aims to advance air quality standards. Scheduled to be launched before the end of 2024, the project aims to provide support for policy development, facilitate mitigation strategies, and foster capacity building within Mekong-region countries. Notably, Thailand will serve as the central hub for this endeavour.

The Director General of PCD concluded: “The cooperation between PCD and GIZ does not end when a project finishes. I hope there will be perpetual commissioning of projects for us to foster a stronger partnership towards the climate agenda for a better world.”

Those attending the meeting included specialists in pollution management, as well as representatives from the Waste and Hazardous Substance Management Division, Air Quality and Noise Management Division, Strategy and Planning Division, and Pollution and Environmental Analysis Operations Center. GIZ’s directors from the projects on air pollution, waste management, SCP, and team members were also present.