NHCO, Thammasat University, and Partners Host HIA Forum 2025 to Drive Sustainable Local Development
Source : Media Team, NHCO, Thailand
Dr. Suthep Phetmak, Secretary-General of the National Health Commission,Thailand (NHCO,Thailand)
BANGKOK — The National Health Commission Office (NHCO) Thailand, in partnership with Thammasat University and its extensive network, has launched the “HIA Forum 2025”. This two-days event provided an important platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and perspectives in developing approaches for Health Impact Assessment (HIA), which is a tool under the National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007).
The academic conference, held on August 14, 2025, brought together key partners including the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand (MoPH) the Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior (MoI) and HIA Consortium network which consist of six academic centers specializing in Health Impact Assessment (HIA). The event, themed “HIA and local development for sustainable environment and well-being,” served as a crucial platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences to ensure HIA mechanisms lead to tangible results at the local level.
Dr. Suthep Phetmak, Secretary-General of the National Health Commission,Thailand emphasized the need for both “knowledge” and “love” to overcome the world’s complex challenges, from climate change to geopolitical issues. He defined “love” as the cooperation and mutual support needed to solve problems together.
“The HIA Forum is a continuous event, hosted by different universities each year, to foster academic exchange and collaboration. It aims to build a network and encourage participation to drive the HIA mechanism towards a sustainable environment and well-being,” Dr. Suthep stated. He added that this year’s forum specifically focused on the vital role of local government organizations in creating healthy cities.
Assoc. Prof. Pharuhat Tor-Udom, Vice Rector for Administration (Health Sciences) at Thammasat University, highlighted the university’s vision to become a “Healthy University of the Future.” By integrating knowledge of health, environment, and public policy, Thammasat aims to utilize the HIA Forum 2025 as a starting point to link knowledge with systemic change at both national and local levels.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Soisuda Kesornthong, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, confirmed the faculty’s ongoing role as a social action unit for HIA. This includes developing knowledge, conducting research, and transferring experience. The faculty also serves as the HIA academic center for the central region, supporting local administrative organizations in using HIA as a key tool for sustainable development.