CP Group brings together global leaders and experts for CP Innovation Exposition 2026

Bangkok, 20 October 2026 – Charoen Pokphand Group has opened CP Innovation Exposition 2026, the ninth edition of the Group’s “Bua Ban” innovation exposition, at True Digital Park under the theme “RISE TOGETHER, INNOVATE BEYOND — Harnessing collective power to drive the innovations of the future for a better tomorrow.”

Key highlights include the presentation of 29 Chairman Awards 2026, the announcement of collaboration between CP COE and 30 leading innovation organisations, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) to strengthen Thailand’s talent and innovation capabilities.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group; Soopakij Chearavanont, Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group; and Suphachai Chearavanont, Senior Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Group’s Innovation Committee. Dr Ajva Taulananda, Senior Vice Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group and adviser to the CP Innovation Exposition 2026 steering committee, delivered the opening remarks. Senior executives and partners from Thailand and abroad also attended.

Dr Ajva outlined the Group’s direction and philosophy, describing business innovation as one of the key forces enabling an organisation to grow and continuously expand. He traced CP Group’s development from its beginnings in the vegetable seed business to animal feed, agro-industry, retail and telecommunications.

He explained that CP’s first innovation grew out of concern for farmers: the company printed expiry dates on vegetable seed packets to reduce their risks. It later developed a modern poultry and livestock industry in Thailand by adapting an integrated farming model that included financial support, farm buildings, vaccinations, the collection and sale of livestock, and price guarantees.

This approach, he said, helped turn what had previously been difficult into something simpler and achievable.

“Moreover, the Group remains committed to becoming an ‘innovation organisation’ by giving employees at every level opportunities to develop new ideas through internal innovation competitions that are held continuously. Employees are also encouraged to embrace change and learn new technologies such as AI, while upholding the Group’s six core values and the Three-Benefit Principle — benefits to the country, benefits to the people and benefits to the company — to create sustainable growth alongside society,” Dr Ajva said.

Sigve Brekke, Group Chief Executive Officer of True Corporation Public Company Limited and chairman of the CP Innovation Exposition 2026 steering committee, said innovation at Charoen Pokphand Group was more than a single project, department or responsibility assigned to only certain groups of employees.

Rather, he described it as a spirit connecting CP’s identity from the past through the present and into the future. The theme “Rise Together, Innovate Beyond” therefore emphasises connecting the capabilities of all companies and business units so they can grow and create innovations together.

A total of 319 innovation projects from 10 countries were submitted this year. Of these, 190 focused on improving work processes, reducing costs and raising quality, while the remainder were intended to create new sources of revenue.

Project leaders were also asked to assess business outcomes and the potential for wider implementation, demonstrating how innovation could create tangible value for the organisation.

“Throughout the three-day event, participants will be able to explore innovative projects and exchange knowledge and perspectives with speakers and experts from CP Group, Thailand and overseas across a wide range of topics, promoting learning and the further development of ideas among business units and partners,” Brekke said.

The event is also opening its platform to small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and external participants for the first time through HealthyLicious, an initiative combining expertise in health, food and technology.

More than 50 teams submitted projects, with six selected for the final round, aimed at helping promising ideas progress towards future business opportunities and collaboration.

29 Chairman Awards honour innovations delivering real results

The event features the presentation of 29 Chairman Awards 2026, with Soopakij Chearavanont presenting the honours to innovations that have created value for both business and society.

From 319 entries, 60 projects advanced to the final round before awards were decided in four categories: Process Innovation, Product & Service Innovation, Sustainability Innovation and Business Model Innovation.

The award-winning projects demonstrate applications of artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, biotechnology and digital technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, develop new products and business models, and expand proven innovations across the Group’s businesses.

CP COE joins 30 partners to develop future skills and innovation

Suphachai Chearavanont announced a commitment to collaboration between CP COE and 30 leading organisations from Thailand and overseas to create an ecosystem for developing future technologies and talent.

He noted that the world was undergoing major changes involving geopolitics, wars, sustainability, climate change, economic and social challenges, as well as disruption caused by artificial intelligence.

Against this background, he said everyone needed to innovate and continually adapt products, processes and new business models to keep pace with change.

Suphachai also expressed confidence that CP COE would serve as a laboratory and platform where the Group and its partners could experiment and learn together from small failures in a sandbox environment, before creating innovations capable of changing the world and making it more liveable, better and happier.

The collaboration will be driven through CP-CoEX, a learning and innovation platform designed to connect global experts with real business challenges.

It will focus on three main areas — AI, Food & Longevity and Sustainability Tech — with the aim of developing leaders, creating innovations and strengthening the country’s competitiveness.

Partnership with MHESI connects talent and research with industry

CP Group has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, under the concept “TALENT MOBILITY for Future Industries”.

Prof Dr Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, delivered a keynote address and witnessed the signing.

The collaboration aims to connect research personnel and experts with industry while strengthening skills in AI, robotics, biotechnology and energy technology.

It will also advance four projects under Siam Terra: Mega Farming, Precision Biotechnology, Future Food and Biomanufacturing.

Future Fest showcases more than 90 innovations

This year’s CP Innovation Exposition is being staged as a Future Fest, bringing together more than 70 speakers from Thailand and overseas and showcasing more than 90 innovations covering artificial intelligence, robotics, future food, biotechnology and sustainability.

The programme also includes workshops and the HealthyLicious platform, giving researchers, start-ups and entrepreneurs opportunities to develop innovations into real business ventures.

CP Innovation Exposition 2026 runs from October 20-22 at True Digital Park. Admission is free.

Further details and registration are available at https://cpinnoexpo2026.com