First Project Steering Committee for Thai NuRA: Nutrient Reduction Action (Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Programme)

Date: 08 May 2026
Venue: SkyView Hotel Bangkok Sky 2

Thai NuRA aims to address marine hypoxic zones by curbing coastal nutrient pollution from tourism, agriculture, and fishing ports and seafood processing in Thailand through the achievement of the following 4 project outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Public and private sector have an improved understanding and awareness of nutrient pollution sources, impacts, and solutions;
• Outcome 2: Thailand implements strengthened national policies and management frameworks on nutrient pollution reduction, aligned with a comprehensive source-to-sea approach;
• Outcome 3: The agricultural, tourism, and fishing port sectors apply effective management practices to address nutrient pollution; and, 
• Outcome 4: National, regional and global stakeholders demonstrate an enhanced capacity in addressing nutrient pollution from the agricultural, tourism, and fishing port industries.

Clean and Healthy Ocean Thailand - Thai NuRA is one of 14 child projects of the Clean and Healthy Oceans Integrated Programme (CHO-IP) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led globally by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Project is implemented in Thailand by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and co-executed by the Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Thailand Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA). With an overall GEF funding worth USD3.5M, Thai NuRA was initiated through an Expression of Interest and Concept Note in 2023, followed by the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) in 2024. The Project has been approved for execution on 11 August 2025.

To ensure effective project oversight, coordination, and alignment with national and global priorities, a Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be established under the Thai Nura. The PSC will serve as a decision-making body to guide project implementation, monitor progress, and provide technical and strategic advice throughout the project’s lifetime.

Objective of the Inception Meeting

• To formally inaugurate the PSC of ThaiNuRA.
• To provide clarity on the mandate and roles, Adopt the PSC’ Terms of Reference (TOR).
• Present and validate inception report; Year 1 Workshop and Budget.
• Agree on coordination modalities and next steps for project oversight.

Expected Outcomes of the Inception Meeting

• PSC formally inaugurated and membership confirmed.
• PSC TOR reviewed, discussed, and adopted.
• Year 1 Workplan, Budget & Inception report codifications endorsed.
• Clear understanding of PSC’s oversight role and decision-making processes.
• Agreement on meeting schedule and communication channels.