On 21 August 2025, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the Asian Research Center for Migration of the Institute for Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), launching a new partnership to advance joint efforts in environmental sustainability, climate resilience and inclusive development across the Asian region.
The agreement, signed by IGES President Kazuhiko Takeuchi and the Director of the Institute of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavika Sriratanaban, provides a framework for joint research, capacity building and knowledge sharing to address urgent regional issues, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable urban development, migration, and the mainstreaming of gender and inclusion in policy.
“This agreement marks the beginning of stronger partnership between IGES and Chulalongkorn University, through the Asian Research Center for Migration of the Institute for Asian Studies” stated Prof. Takeuchi. He added that the two institutes aim to generate knowledge and solutions that support ASEAN's climate and development agendas and contribute to global sustainability goals.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavika Sriratanaban expressed that "With this partnership, we extend the agenda to embrace the critical intersections of environment, climate and inclusivity, ensuring that the voices of the vulnerable – women, children, persons with disabilities and migrant communities are not only heard but actively help shape policy.” She noted that this collaboration aligns with key ASEAN priorities, including the ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (2025-2030), the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Work Plans, and the ASEAN Framework on Protection, Gender and Inclusion in Disaster Management.
The signing ceremony was honored by the presence of Asst. Prof. Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Director of the Asian Research for Migration and Thailand’s Representative to ACWC for Women’s Rights; Asst. Prof. Dr. Bhanubhatra Jittiang, Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs and International Affairs and Director of the Nelson Mandela Center at the Faculty of Political Science, and Thailand Representative to AICHR; Emeritus Professor Dr. Amara Pongsapich, former Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and former Thailand Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR); and Emeritus Professor Surichai Wun’Gaeo, former Director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, among others.
Both IGES and Chulalongkorn University are committed to ensuring their partnership leads to meaningful and collective action – where research drives action, partnership transcends borders and where knowledge is harnessed to solve challenges in ways that are inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
About the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM), Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
The Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) , based in the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, is an internationally recognised center of excellence in social science research. Initially founded in 1987 as the Indochinese Refugee Information Center, the Center was established with the mission of conducting research on the flows of refugees from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries seeking asylum in Thailand. After the Indochinese refugee crisis had abated in Thailand and the refugee camps were closed under the Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Center began to conduct research on new refugee situations that had begun to emerge in Southeast Asia. In recognition of this newly broadened research focus, the Center was reconstituted as the Asian Research Center for Migration in 1995. Since then, it has significantly expanded its thematic areas and now include projects on all forms of international migration in Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on Thailand as a sending, receiving and transit country.
