Moving Forward on Climate Action: ASEAN Regional Consultation Meeting on the ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan 2025-2030 (ACCSAP) Development

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), on behalf of the ASEAN Secretariat Environment Division,which serves as the lead entity for the project, organised the ASEAN Regional Consultation Meeting (RCM) on the ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (ACCSAP) 2025–2030 in Bangkok on 19-21 August, 2025.

This meeting brought together over 180 participants both in-person and online. Participants included representatives from ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), representatives from ASEAN sectoral bodies including the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN), ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB),  ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), ASEAN Taxonomy Board (ATB), the ASEAN Secretariat, UN agencies, think tanks, development partners and civil society organisations. The meeting featured a series of presentations and collaborative discussions aimed at gathering recommendations that harmonise regional climate strategies. Participants explored how to best align climate action across various sectors, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach.

Keynote remarks were delivered by (i) Mr. Pravit Kesavawong, Deputy Director General, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, (ii) Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, President of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, (iii) Mr. Yee Siang Chng, AWGCC Representative and National Focal Point of Singapore, and (iv) Mr. Koji Fukuda, Special Chief Officer, Ministry of the Environment, Japan. The speakers emphasised the urgency of collaborative regional action in the face of climate change, highlighting that:

• The ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (ACCSAP) is a crucial and timely roadmap that aligns with ASEAN's long-term vision, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Climate Vision 2050. These visions set ambitious goals towards net-zero emissions, stronger adaptive capacity, and inclusive implementation in line with the Paris Agreement.
• Southeast Asia continues to confront growing climate vulnerabilities. This reality demands decisive and pragmatic actions. The ACCSAP provides a framework for comprehensive climate change adaptation and mitigation measures across economic, environmental and social sectors, aiming to build long-term resilience for future generations. Looking Ahead

The ACCSAP 2025–2030 is an initiative under the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Once finalised, the plan will serve as a shared regional framework to accelerate climate action, strengthen coordination among Member States, and guide ASEAN’s journey toward a sustainable and net-zero future.