ASEAN gears up for Paris climate conference

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ASEAN gears up for Paris climate conference
Concrete actions not statements needed to mitigate effects of climate change

BANGKOK, Thailand — Policy-makers, civil society, and scientists gather in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum on Climate Change on July 1-3 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The region is gearing up for the Paris climate conference this December.

Pia Ranada reports.

Knowledge exchange.

That’s what scientists, policy-makers, and civil society were up to in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ASEAN) on Climate Change held in Bangkok, Thailand from July 1 to 3.

The region is gearing up for the landmark Paris climate conference in December where a global deal on addressing global warming will be sealed.

Philippe Zeller, Climate Change Ambassador to Asia: COP21 in Paris in December in 150 days will define a new international framework of action to reconcile everyone’s aspiration for prosperity on one side with the natural limits of our planet on the other side.

The 10 countries that form the ASEAN all face strong typhoons, drought, and rising sea levels which threaten their people and economy.

ASEAN officials say the region will work together to prepare for a disrupted climate.

Larry Maramis, Cross-sectoral Cooperation Director, ASEAN Secretariat: This is a unique opportunity to share the latest research knowledge, practical experiences of the ASEAN people, stakeholder and its partners  for a new generation of climate change public policies. The impact of extreme events to society and ASEAN itnegration have shaken fundamental assumptions of regional cooperation.

But some groups say impressive statements are no longer enough.

Riza Bernabe, Policy Coordinator, Oxfam Asia: Beyond statements, I think the ASEAN also needs to take a lot of concrete action in terms of developing a concrete position in global climate negotiations at the same time really developing regional programs that will deliver climate adaptation and mitigation in the countries.

Each day brings ASEAN countries closer to Paris and poses a greater challenge to unify in the face of a changing climate.

Pia Ranada, Rappler, Thailand.

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