Bangkok becomes first city in Asia-Pacific to receive UNDP Gold gender equality certification

Bangkok has become the first city and first public-sector entity in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the "Gold" level certification for gender equality from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marking a major milestone in its push for inclusive urban development.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt received the Gender Equality Seal for public institutions at the Rattanakosin Room of City Hall on April 24, 2026, alongside UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo, who attended the ceremony with senior officials and partners.

The UNDP Gender Equality Seal is an international certification framework that assesses public institutions on their commitment to advancing gender equality and reducing structural gaps that hinder development. The programme currently works with more than 100 institutions across over 30 countries.

Chadchart said the award reflects not only Bangkok's achievement but also Thailand's broader progress, noting that the city represents people from across the country.

"This is not just Bangkok's award, but Thailand's achievement," he said, adding that it is the first city in the Asia-Pacific region to reach the Gold standard.

He said Bangkok began the certification process more than two years ago, initially scoring just 8.8%. Through cooperation between public agencies, private sector partners and civil society, the city improved its score to 94.8%, meeting 38 of 40 indicators, including all 14 Gold-standard benchmarks.

Chadchart said sustainability will depend on embedding gender equality into organisational culture, ensuring it continues regardless of leadership changes.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Taweeda Kamolvej said collaboration with UNDP helped identify remaining gaps and improve policy implementation, adding that the achievement was only possible through cooperation with citizens, private sector partners and diverse communities.

UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo congratulated Bangkok and its residents, calling the achievement a collective success and highlighting the city's leadership role in the region.

He also pointed to Thailand's recent progress on equality policies, including the passage of marriage equality legislation, as well as Bangkok's bid to host World Pride.

According to the UNDP, Bangkok improved its score from 8% at the start of the programme in 2023 to 94.8% in the final assessment, integrating gender perspectives into more than 200 municipal projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Initiatives include free sanitary pad distribution, installation of more than 30,000 LED streetlights under the "Bangkok Must Be Bright" campaign, and efforts to close the gender pay gap from 3.1% to 0.9%.

The city has also expanded inclusive healthcare services through 31 "BKK Pride Clinics", providing care for more than 8,400 people, particularly from LGBTQI+ communities.

Bangkok has also implemented progressive workplace policies, including 120-day maternity leave and childcare support.