AP-PLAT held a technical session at the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) Forum
| Event | Technical session at the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) Forum |
|---|---|
| Date | 2 October 2025 |
| Venue | United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand |
| Organizers | Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) |
OVERVIEW
AP-PLAT held a technical session at the APAN Forum, which was co-hosted by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), and supported by the APAN Secretariat, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The session was positioned as the Annual Plenary Meeting of AP-PLAT, reporting on ongoing activities. It also focused on how regional partnerships and initiatives can enhance NAP implementation in the Asia-Pacific, with AP-PLAT sharing its past and ongoing activities in Laos, Bhutan, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal.
We invited panelists from relevant organizations that have initiatives on NAP implementation, as well as country representatives from Thailand.
- Moderator: Osamu Mizuno; Programme Director for Climate Change Unit, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
- Opening remarks: Yukihiro Haisa; Director, Climate Change Science and Adaptation Office, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ)
- Panel Presentations:
- Kei Kurushima; Chief Policy Researcher for Climate Change Unit, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
- Patrick Guerdat; Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, NAP Global Network
- Teerapat Kamnuantip; Environmentalist Professional Level, Climate Change Adaptation Division, Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE)
- Guilberto Borongan; Director, Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology
- David Potter; Head of Regional Action and Global Advocacy, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
The session featured five presentations followed by an interactive discussion with participants, focusing on how regional initiatives and partnerships can strengthen climate resilience and support the effective implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The session began with an opening remark from Mr Haisa of MOEJ, who introduced the AP-PLAT as a regional initiative aimed at leading adaptation efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. Presenters shared their ongoing work on NAP implementation, highlighting approaches that foster collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. These initiatives were framed as mechanisms to enhance regional partnerships, enabling countries to integrate shared expertise and resources into their adaptation planning processes. In addition, case studies were presented to illustrate current progress and challenges in NAP implementation at the national level. These examples provided a practical basis for discussing how regional cooperation can be translated into tangible support for country-led adaptation efforts, bridging local needs with regional opportunities.
KEY FINDINGS
- The critical role of regional partnerships in strengthening NAP implementation across the region was underscored. They highlighted that support must be delivered through multiple channels to ensure both effectiveness and inclusiveness. Key approaches include providing targeted technical assistance, fostering capacity-building initiatives, and creating opportunities for peer learning and exchange.
- Panellists also emphasised the importance of engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, with a deliberate focus on including women, youth, and ethnic groups, to ensure that adaptation planning reflects a broad range of perspectives and needs.
- The development of robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems was emphasized as essential for tracking progress and improving accountability. Equally important is the promotion of scientific data and the sharing of knowledge across countries and institutions.
RELATED INFORMATION
(Posted : 15/Oct/2025)
