Invitation ONEP to take part in Thai–Dutch Biodiversity Conference 2023

Mr. Jiravat Ratisoontorn, Deputy Secretary-General of ONEP Thailand on Friday 11th August welcomes Mr. Gijs Theunissen DVM, the Dutch Agricultural Counsellor at ONEP Head Office at Phayathai, Bangkok to discuss the collaboration to jointly organize Thai – Dutch Biodiversity Conference 2023 this October 12th.

"Conventional agriculture practices cause changes in land use, which is a direct driver of biodiversity loss. During CBD COP15 Part 2 in December 2022, The Parties adopted the Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) which is composed of the four global goals by 2050 and the 23 targets by 2030. There are 3 targets related to biodiversity and agriculture; land use with high ecological integrity; reducing pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals and biodiversity-friendly practices in agriculture (including aquaculture, forestry)” said Mr. Jiravat during the meeting.

“Thailand, as the party of CBD, is a catalysing implementation of GBF through national targets and biodiversity action plan. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), acting as the national focal point of CBD, is in the drafting process of the National Targets and biodiversity action plan. It will be finalized before CBD COP16” Mr. Jiravat added.

Mr. Jiravat Ratisoontorn, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning and Mr. Gijs Theunissen DVM, the Netherland Agricultural Counsellor

“The Netherlands – Thailand Biodiversity Conference 2023  is scheduled on 12th October 2023 (13:00 – 16:30) in Bangkok. The conference will highlight the importance of biodiversity, which will impact Climate Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems; Food Security and  (Urban) Life Quality”; Mr. Gijs said at the meeting.

A case study of Biodiversity in Rice by ONEP

According to Mr. Jiravat, ONEP - Deputy Secretary-General, rice is the key staple food for Asia and many parts of the world. Rice is the way of life for Thais and the agricultural & food system of the Kingdom. “Identification of Good Practice and Indicators for Agriculture Biodiversity” is supported by the Thai Government.

This Project aims to demonstrate the good biodiversity-friendly practice of rice farming to ASEAN Member States. The project studies the environmentally friendly practice of rice farming under GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) for sustainable rice platforms and other traditional rice practices in connection to biodiversity in the rice farming system as part of mainstreaming biodiversity into agriculture.

Beeld: ©Chantachitpreecha, KS / EKN
Thailand is one among world top 20 countries rich of biodiversity.
Beeld: ©Chantachitpreecha, KS / EKN

For more information about this conference

Please contact the agricultural team at the NL Embassy in Bangkok: BAN-LNV@MINBUZA.NL