Workshop participants

The Adaptation Knowledge Platform collaborated with the Ateneo School of Government to host the Philippine Multi- Stakeholder Workshop at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon, Philippines from 20 to 21 March 2012. The workshop brought together selected Local Government Units (LGUs), government, non-government institutions and other stakeholders from the Philippines. Its objective was to facilitate exchange of information about the state of climate change adaptation in LGUs, leading up to a Local Government Climate Change Adaption Capacity Development Strategy, complementing existing initiatives in the Philippines. Speaking on the first day of the workshop, Naderev 'Yeb' Sano, Commissioner, Climate Change Commission, said, "adaptation for the Philippines was a matter of national survival". Expounding on the steps taken by the government in this direction, he said: Adaptation needs economic and societal transformation. We need a huge dose of common sense for it." The workshop witnessed an animated exchange of views among mayors, government officials and NGOs, all of whom were eager to present their side of the story. For more information

Plenary Session

The Second Asia-Pacific Adaptation Forum underlined the human dimension of climate change with speakers reiterating that the only way to prepare for an unknown future is by building upon what we already have. While some advocated for resilience, others emphasized the need for climate-proofing infrastructure, and yet others called for the acknowledgment of the stakeholders first, involving them in the multi- layered process of adaptation. Almost all the participants were unanimous about the necessity of combining top-down and bottom-up approaches to obtain optimal results. The Forum, which was held in Bangkok from March 12 to 13, was attended by over 700 participants, who included adaptation practitioners, policy-makers, specialists from various fields in climate change, government functionaries and representatives of donor agencies from across the world. Hosted by the Adaptation Knowledge Platform (AKP) and the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Forum, with its 11 co-sponsors, embodied the spirit of cooperation that must characterize all adaptive actions.

The forum organiser

The Forum focused on "Adaptation in Action", signifying a shift from deliberations to decisions, plans to policies, and from policies to practices. In particular, it sought to link knowledge to adaptation actions, and spotlight the challenges of governance underlying adaptation decision-making. This was abundantly reflected in the 24 panel discussions with 150 resource persons focusing on a diverse array of subjects ranging from national-level plans, government-led policy interventions, private sector initiatives, and gender and community-based adaptation, to agriculture, ecosystems management, disaster mitigation, the role of media and the importance of climate-proofing cities. The Forum also hosted a vibrant marketplace with over 30 colorful booths showcasing information and adaptation solutions, which were generally a mix of community- and eco-based approaches often injected with a shot of technology. The participants were also treated to a film festival highlighting documentaries on adaptation and mitigation besides a musical performance by Ruhan, a leading diva from China.

The panelists deliberating on the need for greater attention towards climate change adaptation

Delegates, who attended the 2nd Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum Pre-event briefing and panel discussion, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok on 6 March emphasized that climate change is no longer a global threat but a global reality. A run-up to the 2nd Adaptation Forum, the meeting was attended by several climate change experts as well as leading lights of the Thai entertainment world. The screening of a video by Thai PBS showing the floods that devastated large parts of Thailand in 2011 set the tone for the event. Later, Mr. Winai Kraibutr, a famous Thai movie star, dwelt on the creative industry's role in highlighting environmental issues. The high point of the event was a panel discussion on the need for providing greater attention to Climate Change Adaptation. The panelists included Dr. Mozaharul Alam, Regional Climate Change Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Region, UNEP, Dr. Seree Supratid, Thai Public Broadcasting System (Thai PBS), Dr. Geoffrey Blate, Senior Advisor, WWF Greater Mekong, Dr. Robert Mather, Head of South East Asia Group, The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and Dr. Albert Salamanca, Stockholm Environment Institute Asia Centre (SEI).

The discussion was moderated by Stuart Ward from the Development Cooperation Section of the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok. Dr. Alam provided a regional context to adaptation and linked it with the upcoming Forum, while Dr. Seree discussed the flood situation in Thailand in 2011, and Dr. Blate addressed some of the key challenges underpinning adaptation. Dr. Mather gave examples to show how adaptation was being pursued at the local level, and listed several principles that could be followed by everyone. Dr. Salamanca spoke about maladaptation, the flipside of adaptation if not properly and sustainably planned. Questions from the audience covered several issues, including the role of the corporate sector, resettlement as a form of adaptation, and ideological changes needed to address climate change.

Meeting participants

The Integration and Harmonization of Sustainable Development Interventions in the Central Karakorum National Park of Northern Pakistan (Karakorum Trust) Mid-term Stakeholders' Meeting was organized during 6-7 March 2012 by the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with AIT-UNEP Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP). The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) hosted the workshop. The participants consisted of the wider project stakeholders involved in the Central Karakorum region from Pakistan, including representatives from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Karakorum International University, Pakistan Meteorological Department, IUCN Pakistan, WWF-Pakistan, Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (MGPO), and the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC). The meeting was sought to review the progress of the project, discuss successes and challenges, identify potential areas of future work, as well as to maintain effective mode of communication amongst project partners. UNEP and Ev-K2-CNR participated as the co-implementers of the project, while ICIMOD acted as the host institution as well as an international stakeholder to the work in the Central Karakorum region. AIT-UNEP RRC.AP provided the logistical support to the meeting.

Participants of the HCWM

The five-day training on Health Care Waste Management (HCWM) was successfully conducted in Manila, Philippines on 5-9 March 2012. Under the Thematic Working Group on Solid and Hazardous Waste (Waste TWG) of the Regional Forum on Environment and Health, the training was jointly organized by RRC.AP, the Department of Health - Center for Health Development (CHD IVA), Philippines and the CITIgate Dasma, with financial support from the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. The training was designed to address the management of health care waste [with application of waste minimisation or 3Rs] of local health facilities. It also aimed to train heads or chiefs of hospitals and key staff involved in health care waste management from the Department of Health (DOH), Local Government Units (LGUs) and selected private hospitals within the CALABARZON region which covers the mainland provinces and cities of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. Thirty five participants attended in the HCWM training. The opening ceremony was moderated by Dr. Edgardo M. Gonzaga, the newly appointed Director IV of the Department of Health - Center for Health Development IVA Philippines.

In his statement, Dr. Gonzaga emphasized that although it is the mandate of the DOH to provide technical assistance but it cannot do much by itself, partners are needed to provide quality care and be responsible for the management of health care wastes. Resource persons from Healthcare Without Harm - Southeast Asia Region Office, World Health Organization - Western Pacific Regional Office, RRC.AP and the Department of Health - Center for Health Development in CALABARZON region shared their expertise and showcased innovative practices on Health Care Waste Management. Mr. Guilberto Borongan and Mr. Marco Silvestri served as resource persons and supported the conduct of the training.

Participants at the TRESS 3 workshop

The regional workshop for validating the processed data of forest and land cover assessment for the sample sites in continental Southeast Asia was held in Bangkok, Thailand during 20-28 February 2012. The expert validation workshop was jointly organized by the European Commission - Joint Research Center (EC-JRC) TREES 3 Project and the AIT-UNEP RRC.AP. The training focused on the validation tools developed by JRC, with discussion on the results of the validation work done at the sample sites in each participating country. About 10 experts from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, participated and shared their experiences at the workshop. The event was successfully organized with the expected outputs being achieved.

The panelists at the workshop

The Regional Workshop for Youth Awareness on Malé Declaration on Air Pollution and Transboundary Air Pollution issues was organized on 5 February 2012 by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), India, in collaboration with the Malé Declaration Secretariat based at the AIT-UNEP RRC.AP. Around twenty five youth leaders from South Asia participated in the Malé Declaration Youth Workshop where they developed a strategy to engage youth in awareness and education activities on air pollution issues. Ms. Adelaida B. Roman, Head of the Network Support Component, UNEP RRCAP, participated and presented the Progress of the Malé Declaration during the workshop. Back to back with the Malé Declaration Youth Awareness Workshop, the CEE, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India convened the Asia-Pacific UNEP TUNZA Children and Youth Conference on 6-8 February 2012 in Ahmedabad, India.

The Asia-Pacific UNEP TUNZA brought together children and youth from Asia-Pacific region to learn and share their perspectives on issues of environment and sustainability which will be taken to the global platforms at the Rio+20 Conference in Brazil and the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP 11), to be held sometime in 2012. The participants formulated project ideas on the theme "Sustainable Lifestyles for a Green Economy – the Future we want", which covered several issues such as sustainable consumption, equity and dignity, science and technology choices, in the context of Rio Principles. These projects were focused on the "leadership" roles the youth participants play in their respective institutions, in the community and beyond. The projects included awareness, education and communication efforts and 'action'-based programmes which would have a demonstrable impact in their institutions and communities. Ms. Adelaida Roman also attended this conference on behalf of the Malé Declaration Secretariat.

DPRK officials and resource persons

A one-month training programme was organized for eight DPRK officials from the Environment Development Center (EDC) and the Ministry of Land and Environment Protection (MLEP) on 16 January to 16 February 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand. Organized by AIT-UNEP RRC.AP in collaboration with Srinakarinwirot University, the training was designed to enhance the capacity of DPRK officers on the issues of atmospheric pollution and strengthen the regional knowledge on atmospheric and air pollution-related programmes. It also aimed to assist DPRK in developing its national atmospheric and air pollution abatement action plan as well as the preparation of a training manual that can be used in conducting trainings at DPRK. The training programme was composed of classroom lectures, field visits to air pollution monitoring sites and government offices; and review of documents and draft national air pollution action plans in the light of preparing of the DPRK in-country training module. The officials visited the Pollution Control Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, and the Amata and Maptaput industrial sites to see the air pollution monitoring activities and interact with the responsible officials. At the end of the training, the officials produced a training manual on air and atmospheric pollution which will be used in their in-country training programmes. As a follow-up, it is planned to organize an in-country training programme inviting officials from the other ministries dealing with energy and air pollution in DPRK.

Group photo

The Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and Its Likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia (Malé Declaration) organized a Training Workshop on Health Impact Assessment in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 9 January 2012. The training was attended by health and air quality experts involved in health impact studies and air pollution related activities from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A resource person from Murdoch University in Australia and the representatives from the Malé Declaration Secretariat at AIT-UNEP RRC.AP were also present at the event which was hosted by the National Institute for Preventive and Social Occupational Medicine (NIPSOM), Bangladesh. The programme was opened with the inauguration of NIPSOM as the Regional Center on Health Impact Assessment for South Asia under the Malé Declaration. The health impact assessment study conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh during the Phase III implementation of the Male Declaration was replicated in selected schools in Kathmandu, Nepal and in Islamabad, Pakistan, the results of which were presented at the workshop.

The objectives of the study were: to a) determine whether there is an association between daily mean particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations and respiratory health and lung function in children in the selected city; b) quantify the relationship; and c) assess the scale and severity of the impacts of air pollutants. This assessment can address the information needs on the effects of air pollutants on health in South Asia at the highly concentration areas, commonly found in large cities, and provide locally-gathered evidences to support actions by governments to control particulate emissions. At the training, the results of the health impact assessment studies conducted in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were discussed and deliberated. The Guideline for Preparing the Synthesis Report on Health Impact Study and the Draft Manual on Health Impact Assessment were also presented. Ms. Adelaida B. Roman, Head of the Network Support, AIT-UNEP RRC.AP presented the overview and the objectives of the meeting. Ms. Bernadeth Lim of the Secretariat also participated in the training.