SX2024 strives for ‘Good Balance, Better World’

Immediate action must be taken to achieve sustainability, or the world may suffer the consequences in the long term, according to Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the Chaipattana Foundation, who addressed the opening ceremony of Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) on Friday.
In his keynote speech, Mr Sumet explained the sufficiency economy theory of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great King Rama IX and how it seriously emphasised the keyword “change”.
People at the time believed it was solely tied to economic change because Thailand had recently endured an economic crisis. However, when the country later had to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change, the meaning of “change” went above and beyond that. According to the sufficiency economy theory, people should have anticipated the shift and focused on self-evaluation, logic and risk management to prepare for all eventualities and build immunity.
In addition to applying the concept of the sufficiency economy, Mr Sumet said, people need to be cautious and knowledgeable about the actions they plan to take to minimise any adverse effects that may arise. This is because we now live in a borderless “one world”, making it impossible to avoid the impact of major incidents wherever they occur.
“We should now consider whether this is the appropriate moment to act. We ought to do it in time to survive,” he said. “The proper course of action is to ensure that the following generation inherits enough natural resources, which they have already passed on to their clan. That is what we mean when we talk about sustainability.”
Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) officially opened on Friday under the theme “Sufficiency for Sustainability”. Over 270 domestic and foreign partners are sharing their knowledge and experience at the event, which will run until Oct 6 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
Sustainability Expo has evolved into the largest gathering of its kind in Southeast Asia over the past five years, said Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, who chaired the event.
He told the audience during his opening speech that the expo was inspired by the first royal command of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, reflecting a commitment to continue, preserve and build on the royal legacy of King Rama IX, along with his sufficiency economy philosophy, thereby aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said that expo, which last year welcomed over 360,000 visitors, has received an overwhelmingly positive response in previous years, as it offers solutions for attendees of all ages seeking answers to the pressing challenge of creating a “Good Balance and Better World” across economic, social and environmental dimensions.