In line with Mekong Institute’s (MI) commitment to enhance knowledge-based policies and actions towards green and resilient economies for a sustainable Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), a webinar on “Powering Energy Transitions in the GMS” will be launched on March 23, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (UTC+7) via Zoom and Facebook channels from the MI Headquarters in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Co-hosted by the Embassy of the Federal Republic Germany in Bangkok and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, five senior officials and experts will present perspectives and opportunities for government, the private sector, business community, and civil society to support the GMS energy sector in the coming years.
This is the first event hosted by MI under its newly-formed Sustainable Energy and Environment Department.
WEBINAR OBJECTIVES
With the mission of sustaining broad-based participatory regional dialogue to accelerate energy transition for climate protection and energy security, the event will
- Highlight international energy trends, best practices, and innovative technologies
- Present opportunities and progress in developing renewable energy resources to chart low carbon development and clean energy trade in the GMS
SPEAKERS AND EVENT OFFICIALS
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee is a renowned Thai development economist. Formerly the Minister of Energy and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand, he also served as a senator, member of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand, Chairman of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development, Director of National Economic and Social Development Board, and, recently, a member of Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Thailand. He is currently MI’s Steering Committee Chairman.
Dr. Alexander Raubold is currently the Counsellor of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Thailand. A career diplomat and energy specialist, Dr. Raubold has served at the Germany Minister’s Office, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin; Germany Department of Industry Policy, Unit for Aviation Industry; and Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations in New York City.
Mr. Simon Rolland is the Director of Energy Programme Director at GIZ, an international technical cooperation agency active in Thailand and Southeast Asia, which is an integral part of the cooperation between Germany and the region in the fields of energy and climate change. Prior to overseeing the energy portfolio of GIZ in Thailand, Simon worked in Rwanda where he managed a regional multi-donor programme supporting energy access and in Ghana served as the Energy Programme Manager for the European Union.
Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn is Mekong Institute’s Executive Director. He steers the strategic planning and implementation of the intergovernmental organization’s human resource development, capacity strengthening, and research efforts to spur the acceleration of sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation in the GMS. Recognized as a respected development leader and regional integration advocate, Mr. Suriyan holds over 15 years of experience in delivering innovative approaches and sustainable practices across his specialized areas of agriculture and rural development, public- private partnership, and trade facilitation in the GMS and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Nitus Voraphonpiput is the Director of the Generation and Transmission System Planning Division of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. With his extensive track record in developing regional power projects, Dr. Nitus oversees several power planning works in the area of Generation System Development Planning, New Power System Development Planning, Transmission System Security Planning, as well as Power System Connection and Cooperation Planning.
Mr. Sudam Parwar is a Senior Consultant of MI’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Department. His key areas of interest are innovations and technology in energy, environment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood. He has extensive experience in implementing development projects in Africa and India funded by multilateral agencies, governments and the private sector. His work has spanned the areas of business plan development and implementation, performance analysis and risk management.
Mr. Parwar will be moderating the Q and A session.
Ms. Jian Wang has been with MI for 11 years. As the Program Coordinator of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department, she leads programs and projects that enhance capacities, strengthen institutions, and promote evidence-based policies that support clean energy systems and power connectivity across the GMS.
Ms. Wang will serve as emcee of the event.
REGISTRATION AND ACCESS
The webinar will be livestreamed from the MI Headquarters on March 23, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (UTC+7). Register at https://cutt.ly/xz5zX7L.
PROGRAM AGENDA
Access the schedule here.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For inquiries about the webinar, please contact [email protected] or +66 (0) 43 202 411, extension 4102.
