Bangkok, Thailand – June 6, 2025 – A five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on “Capacity Building for Decarbonization Acceleration” is currently being held on June 4–6 and June 12–13, 2025, at the Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) in Bangkok. This training marks a significant milestone as the first step in a broader regional effort to accelerate decarbonization among small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) suppliers across the Mekong subregion.
The ToT is a flagship activity under the “Mekong Sustainable Supply Chains Transformation and Advancement (MekongSustain)” project. The project is funded by the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC) through the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) and is jointly implemented by Mekong Institute (MI), ABeam Consulting Co., Ltd., and the Technology Promotion Association (TPA-Thailand-Japan).
The objective of the ToT is to equip prospective trainers with comprehensive knowledge and practical tools on decarbonization. Participants will gain familiarity with the project structure, training curriculum, and session delivery techniques. Once trained, these experts will cascade knowledge to SME suppliers in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam—supporting them in developing actionable decarbonization plans and establishing connections with solution providers and financial institutions for long-term impact.
Key topics covered in the training include:
- Sustainability, Climate Change, and Decarbonization
- Opportunities Arising from Decarbonization
- Challenges for Global Companies and Supply Chains
- Steps Toward Decarbonization
- Pillars of Decarbonization Diagnosis
- Operational Optimization
- Equipment Replacement
- Renewable Energy Implementation
- Global Trends and Future Industry Impacts
- Formulation of Decarbonization Action Plans
More than 20 selected experts, including observers and members of the Project Management Unit (PMU), are attending the ToT. During the opening session, key representatives from the PMU—including Mr. Ryosuke Fujioka, Chief Representative of the AMEICC Secretariat / AOTS Bangkok Office; Dr. Nares Damrongchai, Executive Director and Director General of TPA; Mr. Shota Shimazaki, Director at ABeam Consulting; and Mr. Sa-nga Sattanun from the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department of MI—delivered opening remarks. They underscored the importance of building local capacity to deliver high-quality ESG and decarbonization training, fostering regional expertise aligned with global sustainability standards, and ensuring the sustainability and scalability of project outcomes.
The MekongSustain project aims to enhance ESG performance among SME suppliers and key stakeholders, particularly within the automotive, textile, agriculture, and food processing sectors. The initiative addresses critical environmental challenges by supporting over 150 SMEs from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam in their transition toward low-carbon supply chains.
Following the ToT, a series of three-day technical training courses will be delivered between July and November 2025 in CLMVT countries. These sessions will build SMEs’ capacity on ESG and decarbonization practices, and foster partnerships with solution providers and financial institutions to mobilize resources for sustainable transformation.
Beyond technical training, the project also seeks to create an enabling environment that promotes sustainable investment and effective policy advocacy in the region. Through these efforts, the Mekong Institute and its partners aim to catalyze systemic change that empowers SMEs, strengthens sustainable supply chains, and enhances the region’s global competitiveness.
For more information on the MekongSustain project, visit the event page here.
