SDG 14 Life Below Water: Discussion Series

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), together with Chulalongkorn University’s Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science and Chula Unisearch, organized discussions on as SDG14 (Life Below Water) addressing conservation and use of marine and oceanic resources for sustainable development. The discussions were held on Zoom throughout September 2021 under the following topics:

Marine Debris and Microplastics: Current Research and Techniques
Thailand and Future Coral Reef Restoration
Current Coral Reef Restoration in a Changing World
Science for Sustainable Use of the Ocean: SDG 14 Life Below Water

Both Thai and international experts and researchers were on the discussion panel, with an audience of over 200. The SDG14: Life Below Water discussion series aimed to bring together Thai and international researchers in collaboration with opportunities for exchange of knowledge, experience and academic expertise, as well as help broaden the research basis in Thailand. It is hoped that the resulting research will lead to social and economic progress in Thailand while also conserving natural resources and benefits thereof that should be reaped by our country. In the topic of Thailand and Future Coral Reef Restoration many Thai experts from Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Department of Fisheries, Burapha University and Chulalongkorn University shared the knowledge.

In addition, the series was an international, multidisciplinary academic and research collaboration to proactively expand networks of cooperation and strengthen existing ones, which consisted of “Current Coral Reef Restoration in a Changing World” by Dr. Tali Vardi from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as the Seminar “Science for Sustainable Use of the Ocean: SDG 14 Life Below Water” where UNESCO delegates, Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, the Director of UNESCO Bangkok, along with, Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC and Mr. Wenxi Zhu, the Head of UNESCO-IOC/ WESTPAC jointed the Chief Representative of JICA Thailand, Mr. Takahiro Morita, professors from Japan’s universities, with Thailand’s Deputy Director-General of Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Executive Director of National Research Council of Thailand, along with Chulalongkorn University’s President, and Mr. Alex Rendall, the UN Environmental Programme Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand shared and exchanged the knowledge and raised the concerns of the matter. The purpose was to disseminate international academic knowledge to the public for application to work research and local and national community development, thus supporting the mission of the Division of International Affairs and therefore NRCT policy goals.