Bangkok Climate Action Week

Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026 Launch Event at Talat Noi Museum Builds Momentum Towards Main Festival in October

BKKCAW connects actors across ten thematic clusters, from energy and food to art and culture, enabling scalable action toward a regenerative future

Bangkok, 7 May 2026 – Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW) 2026 was formally launched today at Talat Noi Museum, setting the stage for the main festival scheduled from 3-11 October 2026.

Organized by Just Transitions Incubator (JUTI) in partnership with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and a diverse set of partners (Greenery, MMU, Love Frankie, TQPR, III Muses) the launch marks the public start of a year-round event culminating in Bangkok Climate Action Week.

It was attended by leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, media, influencers and public figures, who outlined the festival’s structure, goals and key objectives. Speakers addressed the need for a new economic model that prioritizes human and ecological well-being over traditional GDP measures and metrics.

Chadchart Sittipunt, BMA Governor, spoke on the capital city’s readiness for this transition. “Bangkok stands poised to integrate 'New Economy and New Climate' principles into its urban planning and public services in a cohesive manner. By advancing green infrastructure and helping local communities be resilient and adaptable to change, we are committed to co-creating a sustainable future where every resident plays a role in determining the city's climate direction together.”

Strategic Timing and Objectives

Taking place immediately before the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok (12-18 October 2026), BKKCAW 2026 offers a strategic opportunity to showcase Asian leadership and amplify Asia's voice in the global climate and economic conversations. The event endeavors to address the root causes of climate challenges by rethinking economic systems that drive inequality and environmental degradation.

Its four objectives include activating citizens as climate agents, connecting regional solutions, demonstrating viable New Economy examples, and crafting empowering narratives centered on the concept of “Rao Likit – New Economy, New Climate”.

The theme - which translates as “We Destine” a new economy for a new climate, was announced in March – and aligns with BKKCAW’s ethos of addressing root causes rather than symptoms, recognizing an economy that drives development and climate outcomes.

These goals materialize through ten clusters — Energy, Food, Nature, Health & Well-being, City & Mobility, Education, Hospitality & Tourism, Community, Economy, Art & Culture — and six cross-cutting issues: Policy, Law & Governance; Area-based Collaboration; Economy & Finance; Social Change Mechanisms; Behavior Change; Regional Cooperation. Cluster leads and representatives from Nature Plearn Club, makesense Asia, LUKKID and Common Youth, provided previews of October programming. Highlights to look forward to at BKKCAW 2026 include the Climate Action Football Cup, Green Jobs Fair and Sustainable Fashion Week featuring designers from around the region. The South-South Collective for Climate, in partnership with Climate Collective Foundation and others, will launch BKK Climate Data Week and Climate Launch for AI: Southeast Edition, an early-stage Climate and AI startup accelerator.

On-Site Engagement

The event included a “The Pulse of the Green Economy” performance portraying Bangkok’s trees and green spaces as an economic advantage contributing to clean air and tourism value. Partner and activity booths offered workshops such as upcycled leather keychain making by Talat Noi Community and herbal inhaler production by Poonbumphen Community. Networking continued until 18:00 with plant-based catering that focused on zero waste.

A Vision Panel included Dr Buntoon Srethasirote (government), Khemupsorn Sirisukha (private sector), Dr Boonwara Sumano Chenphuengpawn (CSO), and Korb Limsuwan from Chulalongkorn University’s Zero Waste initiative and discussed the behind-the-scenes co-creation of BKKCAW 2026. While a recap of BKKCAW 2025 also featured speakers from GYBN Thailand, Wat Saket Ratchawora Mahawihan, and neobaannok.

Road to October

The decentralized platform invites program partners to host sessions within clusters, resource contributions from venues and funders, and participation from speakers and communities. Since March, stakeholder sessions have aligned early collaborators; today’s launch equips decision makers with the narrative for ongoing engagement.

Leo Horn-Phathanothai, Founder of Just Transitions Incubator and Co-Chair of the BKKCAW Steering Committee, noted that a vision of reshaping economic systems through existing economic models is essential to drive meaningful action today.

“Shaping a new economy is not a matter we should leave to economists, it has to do with choices that each can make, it is not an academic or theoretical issue. It is about practical realities and real-world choices we all have about which economy to participate in. This is not something for the distant future, but about choices we can make in the here and now.”

For more information, please visit the website. Registrations for partners remain open: Link

About Bangkok Climate Action Week

Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW) is a collaborative platform that brings together diverse actors to accelerate climate solutions in Southeast Asia. Through a city-wide series of events, BKKCAW aims to catalyze partnerships, innovation, and investments that support a just transition toward a resilient and sustainable future.

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