Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi led a delegation of top scientific officials to the 9th Digital Belt and Road Conference (DBAR 2025) in Chengdu, China, where she chaired sessions and reinforced Thailand’s role in advancing data-driven sustainability through international cooperation. The three-day event, involving researchers and policymakers from across the Belt and Road region, explores how digital technologies and satellite data can support the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The Thai delegation included senior representatives from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), and other key research agencies. Thailand’s participation represented its ongoing work with the DBAR program, especially through the DBAR International Center of Excellence in Bangkok, established in 2018 under the NRCT. The center collaborates with institutions such as GISTDA, the Asian Institute of Technology, and Ramkhamhaeng University.
Research at the Bangkok center focuses on applying Big Earth Data to areas such as coastal resource management, water-related risk reduction, and environmental monitoring. These efforts are directly linked to Thailand’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, helping integrate scientific knowledge into policy and planning.
The conference, held under the theme “Sustainable Transformation Through Digital Science,” emphasized the role of digital tools in environmental management and long-term development strategies. Satellite data, particularly from missions such as China’s SDGSAT-1, plays a crucial role in understanding the impact of human activity on ecosystems. During the event, Minister Supamas received a model of the SDGSAT-1 satellite, which was also featured in an exhibition showcasing its applications in land use and urban analysis.
The event also marked ten years of DBAR collaboration and included the distribution of technical equipment to nine DBAR International Centers of Excellence, including the Bangkok center. Delegates discussed ways to expand international research partnerships, improve access to digital infrastructure, and support shared strategies for sustainable development through science and technology.
Source: NNT
