Event

The APAN side event on "Networking for Adaptation Knowledge & Action in Asia-Pacific by Asia Pacific Adaptation Network" was successfully organised at the Japan Pavilion on the 18th November. Approximately 35 people participated at the side event. The event  included presentation from three of the five sub regions APAN is active in, namely South Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific. The discussions focused in the need for adaptation networks, their role in knowledge management and capacity building and also the effectiveness of delivery.  

Date: Monday 18 November 2013
Time: 18:30 – 20:00
Venue: Japan Pavilion, Room 47 Zone D Level 1, The National Stadium [map]

Co-organisers: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Bangkok Regional Centre, UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), and Ministry of Environment, Japan. 

Background:

The Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) is a regional network of practitioners responding to the growing and urgent need for climate change adaptation.  As a ‘network of networks’, APAN functions in a collaborative approach, working to effectively manage and disseminate diverse climate change adaptation knowledge and meet on-the-ground demands of climate change practitioners.

Together with international organisations, development agencies and other partners across the region, APAN serves to equip government officials and other key actors with critical knowledge to design climate change adaptation measures, to access needed finance and technologies, and to build capacity to integrate climate change adaptation into national development policies. Its mission is to help build climate change resilient and sustainable human systems, ecosystems and economies in counties across the Asia-Pacific region.

APAN through its work has scaled up the adaptation actions in the region with wider ownership of different stakeholders in and through its strategic partnership with sub-regional and thematic partners. The network is owned by diverse stakeholders, which has enhanced interaction on the sectoral adaptation practices as knowledge product which has contributed to strengthening the policy frameworks connecting practice on ground. The network has also built capacity, especially of government officials to enable better policy formulation and integration of climate adaptation.

Approximately 35 people participated. The event  included presentation from three of the five sub regions APAN is active in, namely South Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific. The discussions focused on the need for adaptation networks, their role in knowledge management and capacity building and also the effectiveness of delivery. 

Objectives:

1. Highlight the role and need for Adaptation Networks

2. Highlight the importance of Networking

3. Shed light on the  effectiveness of Networks in climate change adaptation

4. Create awareness regarding APAN and its activities

Target Audience:

The side event targeted government representatives, adaptation practitioners, experts, NGOs, INGOs, and Donors.

A panel session was organised with the following agenda:

Key points from the presentations:

“The Global Adaptation Network (GAN) and the Regional Networks” by Ms. Anna Kontorov (UNEP-DEPI)

• Provided a background to APAN and other regional networks under GAN and highlighted the importance of adaptation networks, and how they operate
• Discussed the networks collaborative partnership approach, and the lessons learnt and challenges of knowledge management, including:
  • Ensuring responsiveness to real needs and demand;
  • Establishing common goals and incentives
  • Identifying the appropriate and most effective channels and approaches for sharing knowledge, as well as the right timing; and
  • Monitoring and evaluating impact and effectiveness of knowledge-sharing and networking activities.

“Role of Adaptation Knowledge Management” by Dr. Saleemul Huq (Co-Chair, APAN)

• Highlighted the need for knowledge creation from practitioners and co-generation of knowledge from the scientific community
• Underscored the role of networks in capturing this knowledge and sharing with different stakeholders and in supporting and assisting in the roll out of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
• The ability of networks to bring together varied groups of people and push the boundaries was identified as one of the tasks APAN has accomplished. This was acknowledged as a key role for networks.

Presentations by Prof. Masataka Watanabe (Co-Chair, APAN) and APAN Partners (CANSA, SPREP)

• Identified issues and outlined different approaches adopted by APAN partners in implementing their work on climate change adaptation.  
• For CANSA, the issues include the need for informed adaptation planning, while, at the same time, facing limited information  and analyses at the regional level (i.e. South Asia)
• For SPREP, the issues include expansive geographical locations for members resulting in high travel costs. The distances impact on time and training availability. The Pacific community also have to work around limited human resources and limited internet infrastructure often at high internet costs.
• Some solutions identified include improving the understanding of challenges and expectations within/from South Asian Countries and better documenting examples on issues like disaster risk reduction, trade, agriculture, and energy into policy briefs
• Monitoring the status quo on converting political will into actions and working towards generating a regional picture on agriculture, loss and damage, climate finance, equitable climate strategy, and other topics.
• Increase partnerships to research and generate more knowledge

“Role of APAN in Strengthening Adaptation Policies and Green Development in Mongolia”

• Presented a case study (short film) on how innovative adaptation knowledge and technology is helping to enhance the sustainability of the society