FAO's Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Vili A. Fuavao, receives climate change trophy from Vichet Kasemthongsri, Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific today opened an exhibit at the three-day Thailand Climate Change Adaptation Expo at Central World Square where Vili A. Fuavao, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific accepted a Friends of Thailand Climate trophy on behalf of the Organization. The award cited FAO as a role model for formulating a climate change strategy and action plan.

The United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environmental Programme also received trophies recognizing their climate change adaptation initiatives.

Other recipients of awards included Charoen Pokphand Group, Siam Cement Group, PTT, Central Pattana for BestThailand state owned companies and Green Roof Foundation, Green World Association and Raks Thai Foundation for best foundations and associations. In all, a total of 20 awards were handed out at the opening of the expo recognizing efforts by the recipients to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The Expo was organized by Thailand’s Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and will run through 28 September.

The FAO booth deals with defensive measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture, fisheries and forestry. It focuses on adaptation and resilience to climate change, especially for the vulnerable communities in ASEAN countries. Its work also addresses gender considerations in adaptation to climate change.