The launch of Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026 at Talat Noi Museum paves the way for the main events in October.

Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW) 2026 officially launched today at Talat Noi Museum, paving the way for the main event to be held from October 3-11, 2026.

Organized by  Just Transitions Incubator (JUTI)  in partnership with  the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)  and a diverse network of co-organizers (Greenery, MMU, Love Frankie, TQPR, III Muses), this launch marks the start of a year-long series of activities to the public, culminating in the highlight of Bangkok Climate Action Week.

The launch event was attended by representatives from the government, business sector, civil society, educational institutions, media, influencers, and public figures. Together, they presented the structure, goals, and key objectives of the event, emphasizing the need for a new economic model that prioritizes human well-being and ecosystems, rather than measuring success solely by traditional indicators like GDP.

Mr. Chatchart Sittipunt , Governor of Bangkok,  spoke about Bangkok's readiness to drive this transition, stating, "Bangkok is ready to integrate the principles of the new economy and climate change adaptation into urban planning and public services in a tangible way. This will be achieved through advancing green infrastructure and strengthening communities to be resilient and adaptable. We are committed to building a sustainable future together, providing opportunities for everyone to participate in shaping the city's climate direction." 

Time and objective strategies

BKKCAW 2026, held prior to the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Bangkok (October 12-18, 2026), is a strategic move to showcase Asian leadership and strengthen Asia's role in the global climate and economic dialogue. The event aims to address the structural causes of climate challenges through reforms of economic systems that drive inequality and environmental degradation.

The four main objectives are: empowering citizens to play a key role in driving climate change change, linking solutions at the regional level, presenting concrete examples of feasible new economies, and creating powerful narratives to inspire society, under the concept of  "We Shape Our Economy, Together We Shape a New Horizon."

The "We Shape Our Own Destiny" concept, a collaborative approach to driving a new economy for a climate future we can choose, announced in March, reflects BKKCAW's commitment to addressing problems at their root causes rather than merely managing symptoms. It emphasizes the role of the economy as a key force shaping development and climate outcomes.

These goals are embodied concretely across 10 key areas: Energy, Food, Nature, Health and Wellbeing, Cities and Travel, Education, Tourism and Hospitality, Community, Economy, and Arts and Culture, alongside six interconnected themes: Policy, Law and Governance, Spatial Cooperation, Economics and Finance, Social Change Mechanisms, Behavioral Change, and Regional Cooperation. Sector leaders and representatives from Nature Plearn Club, makesense Asia, LUKKID, and Common Youth presented previews of upcoming programs in October. Highlights of BKKCAW 2026 include the Climate Action Football Cup, Green Jobs Fair, and Sustainable Fashion Week, bringing together designers from across the region. Additionally, the South-South Collective for Climate, in partnership with the Climate Collective Foundation, will launch  BKK Climate Data Week  and  Climate Launch for AI: Southeast Edition  to support early-stage climate and artificial intelligence startups.

Participation within the event.

The event featured a live performance, “The Pulse of the Green Economy,” reflecting the role of trees and green spaces in Bangkok as an economic advantage that improves air quality and creates value for the tourism sector. Meanwhile, partner booths and various activities provided learning spaces through hands-on workshops, such as making keychains from recycled leather by the Talat Noi community and producing herbal inhalers by the Poon Bamphen community. Networking activities continued until 6:00 PM, followed by a plant-based meal emphasizing a zero-waste concept.

Executives from various sectors participating in the panel discussion included Dr. Bandhoon Sethasirirot (government sector), Khemapsorn Sirisukha (private sector), Dr. Boonwara Sumano Jenphungporn (civil society organizations), and Kop Limsuwan from Chula Zero Waste, Chulalongkorn University's sustainable waste management project. They shared their perspectives on the creation of BKKCAW 2026. Simultaneously, a summary of lessons learned from BKKCAW 2025 was presented by speakers from GYBN Thailand, Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan, and Neo Baannok, who shared their experiences.

The path to October.

This open collaborative platform provides interested partners with the opportunity to host sessions in various fields, supported by resources from venues and funders, along with participation from speakers and relevant communities. Since March, stakeholder meetings have helped lay the foundation for initial partnerships, while today's launch aims to convey the project's vision and core direction, fostering continued engagement of leaders from diverse sectors leading up to the main event in October.

Leo Horn-Patthanothai, founder of  Just Transitions Incubator and co-chair of the BKKCAW steering committee,  discussed the importance of a vision for economic transformation in order to drive real action in the present.

"Creating a new economy is not something that should be left solely to economists, but rather a matter of choices that everyone can make for themselves. This isn't an academic or theoretical issue, but a matter of practical reality and concrete choices in the real world, where we can all choose how we want to participate in the economic system. This isn't a matter of the distant future, but a choice we can make today."