United Nations and UK Collaborative Initiative for Electrification of Transportation in Thailand
In 2025, a significant collaboration was launched between Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This £1 Million Initiative, named 'Strengthening Transport Policy Decisions and Workforce Development for a Just Transition to Electric Mobility in Bangkok,' is funded through the Thailand UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) Country Fund.
The project aligns with ESCAP's key role in promoting climate action under Sustainable Development Goal 13 and is part of ESCAP's technical assistance to Thailand in support of the Government's efforts to deliver on its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
The initiative aims to complement Thailand's efforts to accelerate the move to electric mobility by ensuring the transition of the transport labour force is just and equitable. It addresses topics such as electric vehicles, emissions, financing, international cooperation, investment, jobs, logistics, urban planning, sustainability, urbanisation, Paris Agreement, decarbonisation, air pollution, sustainable finance, net zero, livelihoods, and transport.
UK PACT, a programme under the UK's International Climate Finance (ICF) portfolio, emphasizes a demand-driven development approach with inputs from multiple stakeholders. The project will support the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in implementing inclusive transport policies and developing a skilled workforce for a sustainable electric mobility future.
ESCAP is partnering with the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the project delivery. The partnership represents a landmark collaboration, focusing on the labour market implications as Thailand builds a complete electric mobility ecosystem.
The UK PACT project is designed to prevent workforce displacement and ensure that all citizens benefit from the economic and environmental gains of the shift to electric mobility. It is a crucial step towards achieving the mission of UK PACT, which is to support the achievement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the long-term goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Moreover, ESCAP is promoting the acceleration of the transition to electric mobility in public transport across the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative, therefore, is not only beneficial for Bangkok but also for the region as a whole, contributing to the global effort towards combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
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