The 9th ASEAN Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN) Annual Meeting concluded on April 19, 2024, hosted virtually by the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Thailand, in its role as the ASEAN-CRN Chair. With support from Mekong Institute (MI) as the ASEAN-CRN Interim Secretariat, the meeting united key stakeholders from across the region, marking a significant milestone in regional efforts towards climate resilience.
Representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN-CRN Focal Points, ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Crops, ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), international organizations, and development partners graced the occasion.
Mr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivong, Director-General of DOA Thailand and ASEAN-CRN Chair, delivered the opening remarks, underscoring the critical issues under deliberation, notably the crafting of the ASEAN-CRN Workplan 2024 – 2025. Serving as the network’s blueprint for the next two years, the work plan encompasses five thematic focus areas, including (1) national-level implementation of regional agreements; (2) knowledge management and capacity building; (3) mobilizing resources; (4) regional policies and engagement; and (5) research and development. It also prioritizes the strategic approach for institutionalizing the ASEAN-CRN Secretariat and organizing the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the ASEAN CRN.
The meeting provided a platform for donors, development partners, and implementers to align efforts and express support for the work plan implementation. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan (MAFF) shared specific insights about potential collaboration opportunities and ongoing initiatives.
Dr. Margaret C. Yoovatana, Director of the International Agricultural Affairs Group, Planning and Technical Division at DOA Thailand, facilitated the sessions. Important agreements regarding the ASEAN-CRN are set to be endorsed at the upcoming ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Development (ATWGARD) Meeting scheduled for April 24, 2024 in Singapore.
The meeting served as an open and inclusive platform for shaping the future trajectory of climate resilience initiatives in the ASEAN region.