Welcome to the Country Space for Thailand!
This is a dedicated area for your team to share updates, questions, concerns and insights. The purpose of this space is to strengthen both technical and institutional capacities on gender equality and systems thinking in biodiversity conservation. It also aims to foster inclusive participation by creating opportunities for women’s leadership through multi-stakeholder workshops and the co-creation of gender-responsive, country-specific solutions. By contributing to this space, you’ll also be supporting cross-country learning and helping to amplify impact through shared knowledge and experiences.
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Thailand Advances Gender Integration in Biodiversity Policy Through Capacity-Building and Action Planning Initiatives
Thailand, through the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand, organized a series of activities to strengthen gender-related knowledge and formulate a Gender Action Plan to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. These activities were designed for stakeholders including representatives from government agencies, civil society, and international organizations involved in biodiversity, as well as women’s groups, youth, LGBTQ+ communities, local communities, and ethnic groups, totaling over 65 participants. Of the total participants, 66.15% were female and 33.85% were male. In terms of sectoral representation, 56.25% were from government agencies, 3.13 from international organization, 37.50% from non-governmental and civil society organizations, and 3.13% from organizations representing ethnic groups. The meetings held were as follows:
A two-day workshop was held on January 29–30, 2026, at the Novotel Siam Square Hotel, Bangkok. The workshop aimed to enhance understanding of gender concepts and strengthen institutional capacity to integrate gender considerations into biodiversity-related work. Participants collaboratively developed key elements of a Gender Action Plan to support the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023–2027). The workshop emphasized the integration of gender equality and equity principles into biodiversity implementation efforts, in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Two focus group discussions were conducted on February 13 and 19, 2026, to gather further insights and recommendations. These sessions explored how gender roles influence participation in and access to natural resources at the community level.
The three meetings collectively enhanced stakeholders’ understanding of the linkages between biodiversity conservation and gender equality. Participants jointly identified national gaps and priority needs, generating actionable recommendations to promote equitable access to natural resources and biodiversity for all gender groups. Key recommendations included promoting women’s leadership in environmental management, ensuring inclusive participation in land and resource management, establishing community-level funding mechanisms, strengthening engagement in decision-making processes with government agencies, and integrating gender considerations into operational plans supporting the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2023–2027). The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning and UNDP Thailand will incorporate the recommendations and feedback gathered from these consultations to finalize the Gender Action Plan, further advancing inclusive and gender-responsive implementation of Thailand’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Dear colleagues from ONEp, thank you for sharing the advances of the project! Congratulations on the workshop and consultations, the results are quite relevant and the pictures look amazing.
Big CONGRATULATIONS to ONEP and colleagues in Thailand!! Wonderful to read about the successful capacity building and focus group sessions. Look forward to seeing your Gender Action Plan!
Thailand Drafts Gender Action Plan to Support National Biodiversity Strategy
On 26 February 2026, Thailand, represented by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand, convened a virtual workshop to solicit feedback on the Draft Gender Action Plan (GAP), developed to support implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The session brought together 52 stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organizations, international organizations working on biodiversity, women’s groups, youth and LGBTQ+ groups, local communities, and ethnic groups. Participants were 84.62% female and 15.38% male. Representation included government agencies (60.71%), international organizations (7.14%), NGOs and civil society organizations (21.43%), ethnic group organizations (7.14%), and academic institutions (3.85%).
During the workshop, participants shared insights and recommendations on the draft plan’s five key objectives: promoting women’s participation in decision-making; integrating gender perspectives into planning and budgeting processes; developing research-supportive database systems; safeguarding and managing the traditional knowledge of communities and women; and strengthening policy and institutional capacities to advance gender equality. Discussions also addressed the development of indicators, the identification of lead and supporting agencies, and the revision of relevant laws to close existing gaps and enhance gender-responsive roles in biodiversity management. Participants emphasized the importance of integrating these priorities into existing agency mandates to ensure tangible and sustained results. The Gender Action Plan will be incorporated into, and serve as a supporting mechanism for, the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2023–2027), in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Great updates, Thailand. I would love to know more about the Gender Action Plan and how the discussions at national level informed it. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ONEP and UNDP Host Workshop to Gather Feedback on Gender Action Plan for National Biodiversity Strategy
On May 2, 2026, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand, and led by Ms. Nisanee Chaiprakobwiriya, a national consultant on gender equality, organized a workshop to gather feedback on the Gender Action Plan. This plan is intended to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan under the project "Accelerating systemic change for gender equality and biodiversity conservation through NBSAPs" at The Rise Suites Hotel in Chiang Mai.
The workshop was attended by representatives from 17 ethnic groups, including Tai Yong, Kor (Impi), Akha, Tai Yai, Tai Saem, Karen, Kachin, Kuy, Tai Yoy, Tai Phuan, Chong, Tai Dam, Tai Yuan, Moken, Moklen, Lisu, and Lahu.
During the workshop, participants provided opinions and recommendations on the draft Gender Action Plan, focusing on five objectives:
1. Women's participation in decision-making.
2. Integration of gender perspectives in planning and budgeting.
3. Development of a supportive research database.
4. Management of traditional knowledge of communities and women.
5. Strengthening policy and institutional capacity to promote gender equality.
Discussions covered the traditional knowledge of ethnic groups regarding herbs and medicine, the role of women in the sustainable use of natural resources through environmentally friendly community production methods, and the use of resources in daily life. The aim is to support the implementation of the Gender Plan of Action, increase academic and financial opportunities, and enhance the participation of ethnic groups. This will support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Gender Plan of Action (2023–2030).
The feedback from the meeting will be used to advance the Gender Action Plan in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan and to develop roadmaps for gender equality and biodiversity in Thailand.
National Workshop to Prioritize Gender-Responsive, Nature-Based Solutions for Biodiversity
On June 4, 2026, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand and the Raks Thai Foundation, held a workshop at the Ibis Styles Ratchada Hotel in Bangkok. The workshop aimed to prioritize gender-responsive, nature-based solutions for biodiversity and to map stakeholders to support the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBSAP) under the project "Accelerating systemic change for gender equality and biodiversity conservation through NBSAPs."
Forty-two people attended, including representatives from government agencies, civil society, international organizations, women's groups, local communities, and ethnic groups. The participant ratio was 76.19% female and 23.81% male. The sectoral breakdown was: 23.68% government, 11.53% international organizations, 42.31% NGOs and civil society, 15.38% ethnic group-related agencies, 3.84% disabled people's organizations, and 3.84% academic institutions.
In the workshop, agencies collaborated to identify urgent priorities for integrating gender and social inclusion into biodiversity roadmaps. Key issues included the conservation of protected areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), conservation of important species, management of invasive alien species, the bio-economy, sustainable use, and Local Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (LBSAPs).
Participants also proposed additional stakeholder organizations to support the Gender Plan of Action, increase academic and financial opportunities, and enhance the participation of all stakeholders, especially women, local communities, and ethnic groups. This work supports the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Gender Plan of Action (2023–2030), in line with the decisions of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. ONEP will use the feedback to advance the Gender Action Plan in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan.
Stakeholders Convene to Shape Thailand's Roadmap for Gender Equality and Biodiversity
On June 29, 2026, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand, and the Raks Thai Foundation held a meeting to gather feedback on the (draft) Roadmap for advancing Gender Equality and Biodiversity in Thailand. The meeting was part of the "Accelerating systemic change for gender equality and biodiversity conservation through NBSAPs" project.
Forty stakeholders participated, including representatives from government agencies, civil society, international organizations involved in biodiversity, women's groups, local communities, and ethnic groups. The participant ratio was 75.76% female and 24.24% male. The breakdown by sector was: 29.41% government agencies, 5.88% international organizations, 47.05% non-governmental and civil society organizations, 6.67% ethnic group-related agencies and local communities, and 5.88% academic institutions.
The meeting's objective was to review key priorities and urgent issues for developing pilot projects based on regional needs, in order to advance the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Key topics included integrating gender issues with the conservation of protected areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), conservation of important species, management of invasive alien species, the bio-economy, sustainable utilization, and Local Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (LBSAPs).
Participants provided feedback on the draft roadmaps for gender equality and biodiversity in Thailand and analyzed cross-cutting drivers such as institutional mechanisms and tools, monitoring, and data systems. The results will lead to concrete actions on gender and biodiversity in Thailand, supporting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). ONEP will use the feedback from relevant agencies to drive the Gender Action Plan in support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan.