Regional Climate Technology Capacity Building and AI-Enabled Innovation in Focus

UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre wrapped up the year with a regional capacity-building workshop for Asian and Pacific countries and technical exchanges supporting Thailand’s ongoing Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) process under Phase V of the GEF-funded TNA programme. The activities included a visit to the UNEP Bangkok office to strengthen regional collaboration and advance delivery as One UN.

Building Regional Capacity under TNA Phase V

From 18 to 20 December, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), delivered the First Regional Capacity Building Workshop for TNA Phase V countries in the Asia-Pacific region in Bangkok. The Workshop was opened by Marlene Nilsson, Deputy Director, UNEP Asia-Pacific Office.  It brought together national TNA coordinators and consultants from participating countries to strengthen capacity in the first step of a TNA —covering technology identification and prioritization to stakeholder engagement and implementation planning.

Through expert-led sessions and practical group exercises, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre supported countries to apply the TNA methodology in line with national climate priorities, including the use of multi-criteria analysis, integration of gender considerations, and approaches to institutionalizing TNA results within national planning frameworks.

The workshop also provided a platform for peer learning, enabling countries to share progress, challenges and lessons learned as they advance their TNA Phase V processes.  The UNEP GEF team and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) also contributed to the workshop through sharing information on implementation avenues.

Strengthening the TNA Network

Country experiences shared during the regional workshop highlighted the diversity of national contexts across the Asia-Pacific region, while underscoring common priorities such as access to finance, stakeholder coordination and implementation readiness.

UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre’s along with AIT, the regional centre continues to be central in providing technical guidance, facilitating knowledge exchange and supporting countries to translate TNA outcomes into actionable Technology Action Plans and investment-ready projects.

Advancing Innovation in Thailand’s TNA Process

Furthermore, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre held technical meetings with the Thailand TNA team at the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO). Thailand is currently implementing its second TNA, building on earlier experience, to further embed climate technology planning within national innovation and industrial policy frameworks.

Thailand’s approach features the innovative use of foresight and AI-enabled tools to support more comprehensive, evidence-based decision-making in identifying and prioritizing climate technologies.
Exchanges with the Thailand team provided valuable insights for the wider TNA network on how digital tools and innovation institutions can strengthen evidence-based decision-making and support effective technology transfer.

The workshop and meetings in Bangkok marked a strong close to the year for TNA Phase V, reinforcing UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre’s commitment to advancing climate technology planning through capacity building, innovation and sustained regional collaboration.