Southeast Asia is considered one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change. Climate impacts within the region continue to grow more severe, disproportionately affecting susceptible communities, and inserting tens of millions vulnerable to being thrown again into excessive poverty.
In response, nations in Southeast Asia have committed to decarbonization, with eight out of 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at COP26 pledging to attain net-zero targets by 2050. Many non-state actors have additionally made robust net-zero commitments. This alignment presents alternatives for partnership that may potentially accelerate a sustainable and simply transition to a low-carbon future for ASEAN.
Unconditional ’s (ADB) fourth Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS): Imagining a Net-Zero ASEAN, on 30 March in Bali, Indonesia will deliver collectively decision-makers, innovators, and climate leaders from authorities, industry, academia, and the event sector to discuss sensible ways to realize carbon neutrality by 2050.
The hybrid event might be held in-person on the Bali International Convention Center at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, with a simultaneous broadcast online. A total of 500 in-person and greater than 5,000 virtual participants are expected.
SEADS 2023 builds on the successes of Indonesia’s G20 presidency in 2022, which placed the worldwide transition toward a low-carbon financial system on the forefront of the agenda. It is a key side-event of the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting on 28–31 March, additionally in Bali.
ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa will present welcoming remarks at SEADS 2023. President Asakawa has noted the urgent need for local weather action in Asia and the Pacific, and under his leadership, ADB has raised its ambition to $100 billion in cumulative climate finance to its developing member international locations via 2030.
Indonesia Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati will present the opening keynote address. Indonesia has made sturdy net-zero commitments and is a local weather chief in Southeast Asia. It has partnered with ADB to support the Energy Transition Mechanism, which is able to accelerate the country’s shift to a low-carbon future in a simply and reasonably priced manner.
Other morning keynote speakers providing unique views on tackling the climate crisis include: United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, a frontrunner in implementing the sustainable growth agenda; India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, a dynamic promoter of a circular financial system to handle local weather impacts; US Department of Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk, a proponent of unpolluted vitality innovation; and Climate Bonds Initiative Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sean Kidney, a champion of sustainable finance.
Bloomberg TV Anchor and Chief Markets Editor David Ingles will average the plenary panel discussion, Financing Net Zero, which will discover measures to bridge the gap in local weather financing and allow countries in ASEAN to realize internet zero and the Sustainable Development Goals. Panelists embody ADB Vice-President (Operations 2) for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ahmed M. Saeed; Philippine Central Bank (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla; Climate Investment Funds CEO Mafalda Duarte; Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero Asia–Pacific Network Managing Director Yuki Yasui; and Singapore Exchange Managing Director, Head of Sustainability and Sustainable Finance Herry Cho.
The afternoon agenda will function keynote talks from Nusantara National Capital Authority Chairman Bambang Susantono; United Nations Environment Programme Asia and the Pacific Office Regional Director and Representative Dechen Tsering; and Visa’s Chief Sustainability Officer Douglas Sabo.
Nine thematic breakout periods will focus on deploying know-how in local weather change mitigation and adaptation; designing low-carbon and climate-resilient cities; shifting to clean energy; making certain an inclusive net-zero ASEAN economy; minimizing climate effects on health and well being care supply; ensuring the blue economy results in web zero; mobilizing finance for net zero; reimagining ecotourism; and deploying the cloud to meet local weather objectives.
SEADS 2023 will launch a new ADB report, Global Value Chains in Southeast Asia: Building Resilience and Sustainability, which provides actionable insights for strengthening the region’s worth chain resilience against climate impacts.
ADB Southeast Asia Department Director General Ramesh Subramaniam will talk about insights from the report in a hearth chat.
ADB SEADS 2023 might be a low-carbon occasion, with less than 10% of members touring to the sustainable venue. It is partnering with the Green Steps Group to observe the event’s carbon footprint and guarantee full carbon offset via the planting of equivalent forest cover.
To participate in SEADS 2023, register on-line. Virtual participation has no deadline. Registration is free.
For regular updates, visit the SEADS website and subscribe to the SEADS newsletter.
SEADS 2023 is co-organized with the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) and supported by 17 outreach partners and 12 media networks..