The De La Salle Araneta University–Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (DLSAU–ECCRI), together with the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of the Philippines (HKSAAP) and Harvard Club of the Philippines, organized the inaugural Climate Smart and Disaster Resilient ASEAN International Conference last April 22-24 at The Bay Leaf Hotel in Manila. Among the objectives of the two-day, high-level conference is to create a network that can and will address pressing concerns and threats brought about by climate change and disaster risks in the ASEAN region. Two hundred participants attended the activity, where His Excellency US Ambassador to the Philippines Mr. Sung Kim served as the keynote speaker. The event also featured plenary, parallel, and poster seasons where the following topics were highlighted:
Plenary Sessions:
1. Policy and Governance
2. Science, Technology, and Innovations
3. Best Practices and Lessons Learned
4. Finance and Investment
Parallel and Poster Sessions:
1. Science, Infrastructure, Design, and Assessment
2. Climate and Disaster Education
3. Human Security and Capacity Development
With the working theme Leadership for Climate-Disaster Resilient ASEAN, the conference gathered decision makers, scientists, experts, development partners, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders so that they were able to (1) define their role in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management strategies; (2) gain directly from the experiences of other international and local practitioners, scientists, and experts; and (3) promote science-based policy solutions, innovative mechanisms and platforms, indigenous local structures, and gender-responsive approaches to strengthening resilience. The conference was supported by the ASEAN, ASEAN Foundation, United States Agency for International Development, US Embassy, and the US Mission to the ASEAN.
