Climate issues in Asia-Pacific are deserving of the world's attention. The region is home to the world’s largest population, the fastest-growing economies and the largest share of emissions globally. The region is also highly exposed to extreme weather events such as droughts, flooding and typhoons – extensive coastlines, low-lying territories and some of the smallest and most vulnerable countries and island states.  

Climate action in Asia and the Pacific is in the spotlight this week during Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2021 (APCW 2021), taking place 6-9 July. Registration for the sessions is open.  APCW 2021 is poised to accelerate collaboration across the region, to enhance countries’ climate pledges and integrate climate action into recovery from the global pandemic.

“The Asia Pacific Climate Week focuses our attention on an agenda that needs a much greater level of acceleration and ambition from all our countries, large and small, as we face an increasing frequency and severity of climate-related shocks,” says Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. “We appreciate the efforts taken by some countries to reach higher-level targets and more rapid transformations, and advocate for the political, societal, private sector and scientific leadership in the region to come together to effect the integrated efforts needed on climate action.”

During the event, UNDP will be leading multiple virtual sessions to discuss approaches to align COVID-19 recovery investment with the Paris Agreement, adapt to emerging climate risks, and accelerate sustainable solutions in response to the climate emergency. The sessions will bring together governments, private sector leaders and civil society to engage in solution-oriented dialogues and showcase climate action.

The APCW 2021 Virtual Thematic Sessions are part of a series of three Regional Climate Weeks leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in November. They include virtual meetings for the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa.

The results of all three Regional Climate Week Virtual Thematic Sessions will inform Ministerial sessions later in the year and encourage the further enhancement of Asia-Pacific countries’ National Determined Contributions (NDCs) for adaptation and mitigation action under the Paris Agreement.

APCW 2021 will be hosted by the Government of Japan and co-organized by UNDP, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank Group in coordination with UN Climate Change (UNFCCC). Support comes from regional partners, including the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The thematic sessions constitute a collaborative platform to address pressing challenges and will feature dialogues based around key themes to unlock increased climate ambition. The three themes are:

• National actions and economy-wide approaches
• Integrated approaches for climate-resilient development 
• Seizing transformation opportunities

APCW 2021 will be held entirely online, with virtual participation possible from anywhere in the world. Stakeholders working on climate action in Asia and the Pacific can register for APCW 2021 here.

About UNDP

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The UNDP’s Climate Promise Programme in Asia-Pacific supports 27 countries to take climate action across government and society to advance equality, tackle poverty and strengthen social and environmental sustainability.

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For media enquiries, contact Cedric Monteiro cedric.monteiro@undp.org