Bangkok, Thailand- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) organized the International Meeting on Building Capacity for Urban Climate Change Adaptation followed by a Training of Trainers for Urban Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia on July 31- August 4.

These events aimed to enhance the capacity of lecturers and urban planners in integrating climate change adaptation into their city plans. As such, they were also expected to be able to develop modules on urban climate adaptation.  The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research provided support for both events.

Forty-five participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand were present during the workshop. Trainers, on the other hand, came from Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Ramkhamheang University, Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space, APN, USAID ADAPT Asia, and Southeast Asia START Regional Center.

ICLEI SEAS Adaptation Officer Jose Bernardo Gochoco III sharing tools that ICLEI uses in guiding local policy makers and technical staff in formulating climate change adaptation strategies.

ICLEI Southeast Asia’s Project officer for adaptation, Jose Bernardo B. Gochoco III, presented two climate change adaptation tools that ICLEI utilizes in improving capability of local governments; namely the ICLEI – Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) process, and the Climate Disaster Risk Assesment tool of the Philippines. These tools guide local policymakers and technical staff to formulate their city’s climate change adaptation strategies which in turn make the local communities more resilient.

After the lectures, the trainees participated in interactive activities that facilitated the exchange of best practices and local climate action in Southeast Asian cities.