Session 1: Opening Session

Ms. Johanna Zilliacus, Consultant, Asian Development Bank (ADB) 

Ms. Zilliacus is a development professional with 15 years of experience in the fields of climate finance, climate policy and low carbon development. She works as a consultant for ADB’s Emerging Areas, Transport Sector Office, supporting the coordination of the E-Mobility Support and Investment Platform, as well as other transport decarbonization initiatives. Beyond ADB, she has worked and consulted for a vast range of organizations, including UNDP, Green Climate Fund and Nordic Development Fund. She holds a M.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration, and is currently studying a second master’s degree in social inclusion, with a specialization in gender studies.

Mr. Hiroaki Yamaguchi, Senior Director, Transport, Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Mr. Hiroaki Yamaguchi has more than 28 years of professional experience, including 21 years in ADB. He joined ADB in April 2003 as a Transport Specialist in South Asia Transport and Communications (SATC, then South Asia Infrastructure) team. He was appointed as Director, SATC in August 2014 and transferred to SETC as Director in October 2017. Since June 2023, he works as the current position overseeing the ADB transport sector operation. Prior to joining ADB, he has worked for transport consulting and engineering firms in Japan and Australia, as well as government transport authorities in Australia. Mr. Yamaguchi, a national of Japan, holds a Doctorate degree in Built Environment and a Master's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of New South Wales, Australia; and Master and Bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering from University of Tokyo, Japan.

Mr. Jiraroth Sukolrat, Director General, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Thailand 

Mr. Jiraroth Sukolrat is the Director General of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport, Thailand. ​He holds a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Bristol, UK, and an M.Sc. ​in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. With extensive experience in civil engineering and transport policy, Mr. Sukolrat has held key positions in the Department of Highways and the Ministry of Transport, contributing significantly to Thailand's infrastructure and transport system development. 

Mr. Weimin Ren, Director, Transport Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Prior to joining the ESCAP, Mr. Weimin Ren served as Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Transport, China. He began his career in 1989 with the ministry and took senior management positions at (Deputy) Director General level starting from 2009. During his time working at the Ministry of Transport, China, Mr. Ren dealt with a wide range of economic, technical and legal issues of the transport sector at regional and multilateral platforms and was deeply involved in the negotiations on China’s accession to the WTO, the implementation of regional transport connectivity initiatives, and the development and adoption of a number of international maritime conventions, such as HNS, Ship Arrest, and STCW 2010 Amendments. Mr. Weimin Ren holds a Master of Science in General Maritime Administration and Environment Protection from WMU, and a Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Law from Dalian Maritime University, China.

Mr. Krisda Utamote, Honorary Advisor, Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT)

Mr. Krisda Utamote is the Honorary Advisor of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT). Mr. Utamote plays a pivotal role in supporting Thailand's EV industry and educational developments. In his role as the former President of EVAT during 2020-2024, he led EVAT committee team and members to spearhead initiatives in order to support the national target for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), advocate for government policies that support EV adoption, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders in the EV ecosystem. He’s recently been assigned by the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to be part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) committee to analyze the challenges and opportunities for the RCEP agreement in conjunction with 14 other countries, including ASEAN member states, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, Mr. Utamote has been working with BMW Group Thailand for over 23 years. He served in various functions in BMW Group Thailand, including dealer development, sales planning and brand management for MINI in Thailand. In his current position, he is responsible for managing corporate and product communications for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad business units, as well as corporate affairs for BMW Thailand, BMW Manufacturing Thailand and BMW Financial Services Thailand. 

Mr. Rob de Jong, Head, Sustainable Mobility Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Mr. de Jong has been working for UNEP since 1998. Before that he worked for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) and the Netherlands Government. Mr. de Jong is heading UNEP’s Sustainable Mobility Unit based at UNEP‘s global headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The Unit’s work focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the transport sector, especially air pollution and climate emissions. It includes programs on cleaner fuels, cleaner and more efficient vehicles; non-motorised transport; clean busses, digitalization, and electric mobility. The Unit is implementing major global initiatives including the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV); the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI); the Share the Road programme (StR), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the UNEP Global Electric Mobility Programme. The Unit has 26 staff, most are based at UNEPs Headquarters in Nairobi, with some in UNEP’s regional offices in Panama and Bangkok. Mr. de Jong is a Dutch national. He has an Engineers Degree in Environmental Management and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy.

Presentation slides available here