On 16 December 2025, Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President of NXPO, participated in the forum “Climate Action Now: Thailand’s Pathway to a Resilient and Sustainable Future,” hosted by Chulalongkorn University. He delivered a keynote address entitled “Technology Foresight to Action in Support of Climate Goals.”
Dr. Surachai highlighted the roles of NXPO as a policy agency for higher education, science, research, and innovation and in driving Thailand’s climate change agenda. As Thailand’s Nationally Designated Entity (NDE) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), NXPO serves as the national focal point for coordinating the development and transfer of climate technologies. In this capacity, NXPO works to link the UNFCCC technology mechanism with financial mechanism through Technical Assistance (TA) projects, while actively fostering collaboration and partnerships at both national and international levels. Through this role, Thailand has secured more than USD 1.2 million in TA funding, reflecting its efforts to serve as a model for building effective partnerships at national and regional scales. Ongoing initiatives include techno-economic feasibility studies on the application of blockchain technology in Thailand’s crop insurance system, green hydrogen development, and climate modeling, all aimed at demonstrating Thailand’s readiness to access international support in achieving its climate goals.
NXPO also serves as the national coordinator for Thailand’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) under the Global TNA project in Phases I and V, corresponding to Thailand’s first and second TNA reports. Building on the first edition, the second TNA is a key instrument for identifying Thailand’s priority technology needs for both climate change mitigation and adaptation, while facilitating access to international finance and knowledge transfer. In developing the second TNA, NXPO is applying technology foresight methodologies to explore future pathways, working closely with relevant government agencies and engaging the private sector, industry, and networks committed to carbon neutrality.
The implementation of the TNA further builds on NXPO’s role as host of the APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC CTF), which is based in Thailand. Most recently, NXPO has established the Thailand Foresight Alliance, integrating the capabilities of leading organizations to strengthen Thailand’s ability to apply foresight tools in long-term planning and to accelerate the country’s sustainable transition.
In concluding his presentation, Dr. Surachai discussed preparations for the next five-year Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Framework (2028–2032). NXPO will work closely with Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) to develop the framework for submission to the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council. The new framework will adopt a mission-oriented innovation policy approach, identifying national priority challenges, defining strategic actions, and aligning budget allocation accordingly. Its development will draw on knowledge and collaboration from a wide range of stakeholders, including university-based research institutes.
