April 9, 2025
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The urgency to turn climate ambition into action echoed through every session of the "Nature-based Solutions in Urban Contexts" Conference held in Bangkok last week, as over 140 attendees from across the Mekong subregion and beyond came together to tackle the challenge of scaling Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in cities. Another 180 people joined online for the plenary sessions.
Co-hosted by the Department of Climate Change and Environment (Thailand), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the conference marked a decisive shift in focus—from understanding what NbS are, to how they can be effectively applied in practice.
“Lasting and meaningful change comes from co-developing shared solutions,” said Mr Pavich Kesavawong (Deputy Director General at Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment). “We must work with communities, experts, researchers and policymakers across all levels.”
Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Angela Macdonald PSM, emphasised the broader significance of the event, highlighting the role of the Mekong–Australia Partnership in building climate resilience and improving water security across the region.
“In Australia, making a ‘ruckus’ means disrupting the norm. The RUCaS Program is doing just that—challenging conventional approaches,” Dr Macdonald said.
Mr Pornprom Vikitsreth (Adviser to the Bangkok Governor and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) acknowledged the growing urban challenges—more frequent storms, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise—stating that the city is already taking action through 15-minute parks and its ambitious plan to plant 2 million trees in 4 years. “Our next challenge is scaling these solutions,” he said.
Driving systems change
Keynote speaker Professor John Thwaites AM, Chair of Monash Sustainable Development Institute, underscored the need for transformative—not incremental—action to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Business as usual won't get us there. We need to present a compelling case for change, build widespread support through collaboration, and stay focused on solutions,” urged Prof. Thwaites.
The conference agenda featured plenary panel sessions, workshops and case study discussions, as well as field trips to Chulalongkorn University’s Centenary Park and Benjakitti Park to see NbS in action.
Scaling with equity and inclusion
Ensuring equity was a key theme throughout. A panel on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) explored how to protect and empower vulnerable groups— women, people living informally, peoples with disabilities, the elderly and minority groups.
A dedicated session examined the critical questions behind NbS delivery: Who builds? Who maintains? Who pays? And how do we ensure no one is left behind? In parallel, a session on inclusivity in the development and implementation of urban NbS delved into embedding participatory processes and universal design from planning to operations.
Workshops on Day 3 covered the finer aspects of embedding GEDSI principles in all phases of NbS projects and practical guidance and tools for lifecycle costing.
Collaborative momentum
Throughout the event, participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Thailand shared national, regional and local insights. One of the most popular formats—the World Café—saw participants rotate through 8 case studies to discuss pathways for scaling NbS across the Mekong region.
In closing, Ms Sasiwan Wongisiriprasert (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration), Ms Keo Kaneka (Oxfam), and Ms Sibella Stern (DFAT) distilled key takeaways:
- Leadership matters: commitment from the top drives change.
- Done well, NbS can deliver real societal transformation.
- All actors—governments, communities, researchers and businesses—must be part of the solution.
- Partnerships turn today’s lessons into tomorrow’s impact.
Mr Ben Furmage, CEO of Water Sensitive Cities Australia, summed up the conference’s significance:
“When nature, culture and infrastructure work together, the outcomes are powerful. These events not only build capability and understanding—they spark the connections needed to deliver lasting change.”
Feedback from participants was positive:
“I’ve gained an international perspective on NbS. It’s been inspiring,” said Mr Samnieng Thammavong of the Laos Disability People’s Association.
“I’m glad I attended. I have learned a lot, particularly about nature-based solutions, focusing on green infrastructure,” said Ms Sooksiri Chamsuk of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
“The field trips showed us what’s possible. I want to see this model applied in Laos,” said Mr Thavone Panmanivong from Souphanouvong University, Luang Prabang (Lao PDR).
“We talked about the preconditions, addressing the barriers to information, lack of policy enforcement, how you can advocate for policy, but the hardest part as we know across the Mekong is implementation,” said Ms Hannah Lee of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Lao PDR.
Watch the wrap up video
VIEW ALL EVENT PHOTOS
ACCESS CONFERENCE MATERIALS
Watch the plenary recordings
Day 1 Session 1 – Plenary: Welcome, opening remarks and keynote
Day 1 Session 2 – Plenary: Regional Perspectives on NbS
Day 2 Session 1 – Plenary: Scaling NbS – Strategies and Implementation
Day 2 Session 2 – Plenary: Upscaling to create inclusive, fair and resilient urban centres
Day 2 Session 3 – Plenary: Key insights and next steps Conference Close
This conference was part of the Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds (RUCaS) Program, supported by DFAT under the Mekong–Australia Partnership and implemented by Water Sensitive Cities Australia (Monash University) and the International Centre for Environmental Management.
