Jakarta – Southeast Asia, a region full of potential, but also vulnerable to climate change, is demonstrating its commitment towards carbon neutrality at the 2023 ASEAN Climate Forum or ASEAN Climate Forum on September 2, 2023, as part of the series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit Jakarta.
The 2023 ASEAN Climate Forum pursues carbon neutrality and sustainability ambitions for the region.
M. Arsjad Rasjid PM, in his role as Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, said this forum was a sideline event of the 2023 ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS).
“The ASEAN Climate Forum side event is dedicated to being a forum for discussion about climate issues in Southeast Asia,” he said.
The ASEAN Climate Forum emphasizes the importance of a sustainable development agenda to facilitate the transformation of the ASEAN region into an environmentally friendly economy and in line with the ASEAN Vision 2045.
In collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank, this forum will feature speakers from ASEAN member countries and dialogue partners, including business leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and ministers.
Several speakers who will attend include the Executive Director for the ASEAN Center for Diversity Theresa Mundita Lim, Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, and others.
Arsjad also emphasized the Net Zero Emissions (EZN) target of 2060.
“With support from knowledge partners, such as Standard Chartered, PWC, Equatorise, and Bloomberg NEF, this forum will focus on a comprehensive Net Zero Emission (NZE) 2060 framework, affordable energy transition, decarbonization strategy, and sustainable financing,” he added.
This forum aims to formulate strategic steps to support the transition to a low-carbon economy in the ASEAN region. Following the results of the ASEAN Summit which has formulated a joint commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the 2023 ASEAN Climate Forum is a platform to explore innovative and sustainable solutions in an effort to achieve this target.
In the discussion session, the Indonesian delegation together with other representatives will discuss concrete efforts to optimize carbon trading to support the transition to a low carbon economy.
Meanwhile, some time ago Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi as Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC/Secretary General of the ASEAN Mayor Forum said Indonesia had started the mission and expressed her appreciation for the participation of North Minahasa Regency as the only district in Indonesia which is a pilot area for the Climate action program through the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy ( GCoM) facilitated by the United Cities and Local Government Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) to prepare for climate change mitigation, emission reduction, climate resilience and adaptation, and access to sustainable energy.
Bernadia also nominated North Minahasa Regency to be able to host the UCLG ASPAC international Executive Bureau meeting in 2024 which will compete with several other big cities in the Asia Pacific region.
Indonesia, with its strong commitment to carbon markets, has the opportunity to become a model for implementing sustainable carbon trading and become an important step in achieving the goal of net zero carbon.
In addition, financial sustainability is also an important point in this forum. The development of sustainable financial markets in ASEAN is considered crucial to support investment in environmentally friendly projects and renewable energy.
The 2023 ASEAN Climate Forum is not only an important milestone in strengthening the commitment of ASEAN countries in responding to the climate crisis, but also proves that the region is united in responding to urgent global challenges.
This event, which was held as part of the 2023 ASEAN Business & Investment Summit series, strengthens the commitment of ASEAN member countries in facing the challenge of climate change.
