Colombo/Bangkok, 21 October 2016 – A climate change adaptation coalition of experts, policymakers, donors and civil society working in over 50 Asia-Pacific countries has ended a dialogue in the Sri Lankan capital calling on the private, technology and finance sectors to join hands to strengthen climate-resilient development in the region.
The 17-19 October “5th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum” organized by the UN Environment Asia and the Pacific Office as the Secretariat of Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and hosted by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka also emphasized the urgency of being inclusive, reaching out to the vulnerable and engaging with local communities.
About 900 participants at the Forum explored various transformational pathways and outlined a range solutions and actions to bridge the gap between adaptation policy and practices, building on past experiences.
“The rich dialogue and content shared and exchanged at the 5th Forum provides a foundation of solutions, integrated approaches, innovative partnerships and an invitation to new partners, especially the private and technology sectors to join the alliances already working on climate resilient development,” said Isabelle Louis, Acting Regional Director, UN Environment Asia Pacific.
Opening the Forum, H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka called upon all actors at local, national and international levels to strengthen climate resilience at local, national and regional levels.
Having as its theme “Adapting and Living below 2°C: Bridging the Gaps in Policy & Practice”, the Forum discussed adaptation planning and financing, climate-resilient development and the role of partnerships in adaptation. The Forum outlined the following priorities:
Adaptation Planning
- Shift to long term timelines, aligned with national economic and development planning, while projects and financing should be short and long term to realize priorities
- Strengthen capacities, especially in least developed countries, low-lying regions and island nations to interpret and execute solutions as well as strengthen monitoring and reporting to national adaptation goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
- Forge new partnerships for solutions and link science to policy and actions
- Increase awareness of climate change impacts and how to adapt among the vulnerable as well as policy makers for decision making on financing, technology, job creation, migration and infrastructure development.
Financing Adaptation
- Improve access to financing climate-resilient development, which is a joint responsibility of governments, intergovernmental agencies and financial institutions and other stakeholders.
- Share best practices in knowledge platforms for integrating climate financing into development planning and budgeting systems.
- Increase transparency and openness in climate financing opportunities.
Resilience Development
- Promote smart development planning and execution that integrates capital investment in infrastructure with climate adaptation plans, resulting in win-win solutions for people and their livelihoods, health and jobs.
The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum is the primary regional platform for adaptation practitioners to share their learning and experiences. Previous Forum editions were held in Bangkok (2010 and 2012), Seoul (2013) and Kuala Lumpur (2014).
For more information, please contact:
Mozaharul Alam, +662 288 2601, mozaharul.alam@unep.org
Satwant Kaur, +662 288 2127, satwant.kaur@unep.org
About APAN (http://www.asiapacificadapt.net/):
Launched in 2009 by UN Environment, the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) is one of the most recognizable adaptation networks not only regionally but globally. APAN operates through its regional hub located in Bangkok. Sub-regional activities of APAN are carried out by the sub-regional nodes and thematic nodes of APAN located in the five sub-regions of Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific. The sub-regional nodes operate with the help of national implementing partners located in the countries falling within each sub-region.
Core partners are the Asian Development Bank, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific located at the Asian Institute for Technology, the Stockholm Environment Institute, the United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Environment.
