The Royal Thai Embassy and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council organized a seminar and mini-exhibition titled “Labs, Farms, and Bottles: Turning Waste to Treasures” in Qatar. The event aimed to showcase Thailand’s innovative approaches to upcycling waste material into valuable products, emphasizing the shared commitment of both countries to sustainable development. The seminar also sought to promote networking among government agencies, academic institutions, the diplomatic corps, and Thai researchers and explore potential partnerships with third parties or countries.
The seminar began with remarks from Dr. Hisham M Sabir, Executive Director of the QNRF Programmes at the QRDI Council, highlighting the importance of research, development, and innovation (RDI) collaboration between Qatar and Thailand. H E Sira Swangsilpa, Ambassador of Thailand to Qatar, delivered a keynote address focusing on the significance of fostering collaboration between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of working together on research, technology, and sustainability, with a particular focus on sustainable development, innovative upcycling, food security, biotechnology, sustainable textiles, and local entrepreneurship.
The seminar featured three key sessions led by experts from Thailand’s universities. Associate Prof Dr. Singh Intrachooto discussed upcycling and sustainable design, presenting examples of repurposing waste materials into high-value products. Dr. Chanakarn Ruangnarong spoke about creating sustainable textiles from discarded banana trees and water hyacinths. Associate Prof Dr. Prakit Sukyai showcased research on utilising agrowaste for cosmetic and medical products. The mini-exhibition displayed various innovative products, including carpets made from PET bottles and handbags made from medical waste.
The event was attended by over 50 participants, including representatives from various sectors in Qatar, such as the Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and local universities. Malik Habayeb, an international programme expert at QRDI Council, highlighted the importance of upcycling innovation in extracting value from waste products, aligning with Qatar’s RDI scope. The QRDI Council aims to strengthen international collaborations to foster knowledge exchange, best practices, and innovation partnerships to support environmental sustainability and drive tangible cooperation and mutual benefits.
In conclusion, the seminar and mini-exhibition on upcycling waste material into valuable products held in Qatar by the Royal Thai Embassy and QRDI Council showcased Thailand’s innovative approaches to sustainable development. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between Thailand and Qatar in research, technology, and sustainability, focusing on upcycling, food security, biotechnology, and local entrepreneurship. The sessions led by experts from Thailand’s universities explored converting waste materials into high-value products, creating sustainable textiles from natural fibers, and utilising agrowaste for cosmetic and medical applications. The exhibition displayed innovative products made from waste materials, demonstrating the potential of upcycling in reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. Attendees from various sectors in Qatar discussed the importance of upcycling innovation in achieving resource sustainability and environmental conservation, emphasizing the need for international collaborations to drive innovation and mutual benefits for both countries.
