ASEAN Drought Adaptation Plan: Regional Actions to Manage Rising Water Stress

Challenge

Southeast Asia faces more frequent and more severe droughts, while growing water demand increases regional risk for communities, economies, and ecosystems.

Solution

The ASEAN Regional Plan of Action coordinates nine regional actions on risk assessment, early warning, adaptation, and recovery to strengthen drought resilience.

Overview

Droughts have become more frequent and severe in Southeast Asia over the past two decades, while population growth and industrial development are increasing water demand. The ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Adaptation to Drought was created by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), based on UNESCAP assessments of drought situations in ASEAN Member States. It sets a shared framework for how ASEAN Member States address rising drought risk. The plan responds to these pressures through regional actions.

It builds on the ASEAN Declaration on the Strengthening of Adaptation to Drought, adopted at the 37th ASEAN Summit in 2020, and supports national efforts through regional studies, common guidance, and cooperation platforms, rather than replacing country-level strategies. Some activities, particularly in risk assessment, also consider gender, age, and disability, showing recognition that drought affects groups differently.

Nine key actions

The plan organizes regional cooperation into nine key actions. These actions collectively cover risk assessment, early warning, adaptation, response, coordination, capacity building, data sharing, and monitoring.

1. Risk, impact, and vulnerability assessment

This action focuses on assessing past and future drought impacts on economies, environments, and societies, and on identifying vulnerable groups. Proposed activities include developing regional and national drought risk, impact, and vulnerability assessment frameworks, conducting national assessments every decade, and incorporating gender, age, and disability considerations.

2. Early warning system, preparedness, and planning

This action strengthens early warning and preparedness. Activities include a regional study of existing drought forecasting and early warning systems, upgrading national systems, developing a regional drought information system with data sharing, and preparing ASEAN guidelines for drought risk reduction.

3. Adaptation actions

Based on findings from the risk assessments, regional drought adaptation policies and strategies are being developed for consideration by ASEAN Member States. Additional studies are examining the resilience of vulnerable groups at both national and regional levels.

4. Response and recovery

This action addresses post-drought support for agriculture, industry, and affected communities. It includes developing regional guidelines for financial relief, social welfare measures, and technical support, forming national technical teams to address drought impacts, and exploring a regional drought risk-based crop insurance program.

5. Strengthening coordination between ASEAN sectoral bodies

Here, the plan calls for a regional platform or working group that brings together relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies. The goal is to coordinate regional initiatives and strengthen cooperation on mechanisms such as emergency food reserves, so they can be used more effectively during droughts.

6. Partnership and collaboration with non-ASEAN partners

This action promotes networks and initiatives with regional and international partner organizations to mobilize technical and financial support for drought management. It encourages research, innovation, and technology transfer in collaboration with non-ASEAN partners.

7. Capacity building and enhancement

Capacity-building programs, supported by relevant ASEAN Centres, will focus on drought impact assessment, early warning systems, and data management. National programs will improve the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data for forecasting and management, and on-the-job training will be provided for young professionals.

8. Data sharing and dissemination

This action creates a regional platform for sharing data, information technologies, good practices, and lessons learned on droughts. Regular weekly and monthly bulletins with drought forecasts are being issued for Southeast Asia, as well as drought bulletins. National data collection systems and robust communication networks are being developed to ensure that drought forecasts and early warnings reach local governments.

9. Monitoring and evaluation

The final action updates drought-related management strategies and policies so they align with national action plans on drought adaptation. It also establishes a transparent monitoring system with indicators to track progress in implementing the action plans.

Future outlook

The ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Adaptation to Drought demonstrates a collective commitment to assess and manage drought risks through shared frameworks, knowledge, and support systems. Implementation of the nine actions is strengthening regional resilience through coordinated impact assessments, early warning systems, capacity-building programs, and data sharing platforms.

Acknowledgements

This report is based on the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action for Adaptation to Drought 2021–2025.