The Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX 2024), the largest sustainability event in the ASEAN region, returns for its fifth consecutive year, showcasing innovative solutions and initiatives for a sustainable future. The event is a collaboration of five leading international organisations renowned for their commitment to sustainable development: Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited, PTT Public Company Limited, SCG, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, and Thai Union Group Public Company Limited.
SX 2024 will feature a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, seminars, workshops, conferences, a sustainable food festival, and business-to-business (B2B) networking events. The exhibition holds from today until October 6, 2024, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.
The event will span multiple floors of the QSNCC, each dedicated to specific sustainability themes: LG Floor: SX Food Festival, SX Kids Zone, SX Marketplace, and SX Department Store; G Floor: SEP Inspiration Zone, Better Me Zone, Better Living Zone, Better Community Zone, and Better World Zone; and 2nd Floor: B2B events, conferences, and business networking for sustainable development
SEP Inspiration Zone: The Heart of Sustainability
At the heart of SX 2024 lies the SEP Inspiration Zone, a section dedicated to raising awareness of the urgent need for sustainability by showcasing the reality of global environmental changes. The zone, which stands for “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy,” focuses on fostering a sustainable mindset rooted in preparedness for environmental crises. Under the theme “The World Has Changed,” the zone highlights the impact of rising global temperatures, which are causing serious disturbances to ecosystems and communities worldwide.
Visitors will be captivated by a collaborative exhibition featuring National Geographic, which will present stunning visual representations of how climate change is reshaping our world. These images, carefully curated to showcase the ongoing environmental shifts, will serve as a sobering reminder of the collective need for change.
Complementing this is a powerful art installation from the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB), led by Lao artist Bounpaul Phothyzan. His unique work, featuring bombshell carvings, highlights the enduring scars of war in Laos and draws a parallel between conflict and environmental degradation, both of which leave lasting impacts on future generations.
The SEP Inspiration Zone is divided into three sections that will take visitors on an immersive journey through the past, present, and future of the planet’s ecological health.
Zone A – Mirror Walkway “Reflection of Impact” This tunnel reflects the frightening realities of climate change, providing a direct confrontation with the effects of global warming. The mirrors serve as a metaphor for self-reflection, encouraging visitors to question their own roles in environmental destruction.
Zone B – Immersive Theatre “Point of No Return!”: This engaging theatrical experience shows the irreversible changes caused by human actions, with a powerful message about the environmental consequences of our current trajectory.
Zone C – Hope & Help “Adaptation”: This zone offers a more optimistic perspective, emphasising humanity’s capacity to adapt and find innovative solutions to survive and thrive in a changing world. Through practical advice and real-world examples, visitors will learn how they can contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Better Me Zone: Embracing a Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyle
The Better Me Zone is dedicated to promoting personal well-being in conjunction with sustainable living. It aims to show that sustainability starts from within, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their health, both physical and mental, as a key part of building a sustainable future.
Healthy & Happy Living: Experts from various sectors, including the Food Institute, The Heart Foundation of Thailand, Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital, and Nestlé, provide insights into how individuals can lead balanced, healthy lives. The emphasis will be on promoting a nutritious diet and a harmonious lifestyle that benefits both personal health and the environment.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Prevention: In an increasingly aging society, this section will highlight cutting-edge methods to prevent cognitive decline, featuring innovations such as the Interaction Exercise and Cognition (i-ExC Game) from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. These tools show how individuals can maintain mental acuity and ensure a dignified, healthy aging process.
Mental Health: A strong focus on mental health is also part of the Better Me Zone. Startups like the Sati App, a mental health tracker, are featured, helping visitors understand how to manage stress and maintain mental well-being. In addition, Cheevamitr, a Thai startup, presents a tool designed to facilitate end-of-life conversations, ensuring that people can communicate their wishes clearly and lead a fulfilling life until the end.
Lifelong Learning: Lifelong learning is a critical component of sustainability, as it empowers individuals to continuously adapt and grow. This space encourages collaboration between different generations, with a particular focus on youth and the elderly. It also promotes social entrepreneurship, highlighting examples of successful sustainable businesses that inspire young entrepreneurs to incorporate these values into their own work.
Better Living Zone: Climate Change and Environmental Responsibility
The Better Living Zone focuses on practical solutions for tackling climate change, emphasising how individual and corporate actions can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also explore ways to reduce the human carbon footprint while highlighting success stories from leading organisations.
One of the most notable contributions come from Thai Beverage Plc (ThaiBev), which presents its ‘Water of Life’ initiative. This project emphasises the critical importance of water conservation, from the management of upstream water sources to the protection of downstream ecosystems. ThaiBev showcases their work on water quality, efficiency, and replenishment, offering concrete examples of how communities can safeguard their water resources.
Thai Union Group presents its SeaChange® 2030 strategy, a comprehensive approach to sustainability across the seafood industry. This strategy covers every stage of the seafood supply chain, from sustainable fishing practices to eco-friendly packaging and processing methods. The presentation will highlight how the company is working to ensure that their entire value chain is aligned with global sustainability goals.
Other key exhibitors in the Better Living Zone include: Hino Motors, which unveils the Hino Dutro Z EV, a fully electric small-sized truck, demonstrating how the automotive industry is contributing to cleaner transportation solutions; DIPROM, which showcases the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Model, a strategy aimed at supporting the Thai industrial sector in adopting sustainable, environmentally friendly practices; and Indorama Ventures, which highlights how essential chemistry is in everyday life, focusing on sustainable chemical products that are integrated into daily-use items.
SX 2024 is more than just an exhibition—it’s a platform for learning, growth, and action. The SEP Inspiration, Better Me, and Better Living Zones invite participants to explore the profound connections between environmental health, personal well-being, and sustainable living. By addressing the challenges of climate change, promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging responsible consumption, SX 2024 aims to inspire individuals and businesses alike to take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future.