On June 26, 2025 – Beijing, China, Dr. Wenchao Xue from the School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), was invited to speak at the CAS-TWAS International Workshop on “Climate Change Challenges and Sustainable Development in the Global South,” held from June 24–26, 2025, in Beijing, China. As a member of the UNESCO TWAS Young Affiliates, Dr. Wenchao represented AIT in contributing to high-level discussions on environmental resilience in the Global South.
In her presentation titled “Interlinking Climate Change and Microplastic Pollution: Impacts on Urban Water Resilience in Thailand,” Dr. Wenchao explored the interconnected challenges posed by climate change and emerging contaminants in urban environments. She shared cutting-edge research led by her team at AIT, focusing on the impacts of microplastic pollution on water systems under increasing climate stress.
Dr. Wenchao also highlighted ongoing initiatives across Southeast Asia focused on generating scientific evidence to support policy and regulatory development for microplastic pollution management. She further introduced her team’s ongoing research on developing cost-effective microplastic monitoring technologies powered by machine learning, demonstrating the potential of digital innovation in advancing environmental solutions.
Her participation underscores AIT’s commitment to addressing pressing global environmental challenges through research, regional collaboration, and capacity building. The workshop, co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), provided a dynamic platform for fostering South-South cooperation and knowledge exchange to support sustainable development in climate-vulnerable regions.
