Southeast Asia rises to climate challenges: Uniting nature, technology, and collaboration at COP29

BAKU, Azerbaijan: As one of the regions most exposed to climate risks, Southeast Asia faces significant economic, social and natural challenges. However, with its rich natural resources and the latest technological advancements, the region has a unique opportunity to leverage nature to strengthen climate resilience. At COP29, leaders, experts, and advocates of climate action convened yesterday at the Center for Public Impact Pavilion for a critical discussion titled “Nature, Tech, and Collective Action: Advancing Southeast Asia’s Resilience.” The session highlighted the region’s vulnerabilities to climate hazards and presented innovative solutions to build resilience for the future.

The event opened with a keynote address by YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia. In his address, he emphasised the importance of leveraging regional collaboration to address climate challenges. “Southeast Asia’s strength lies in its interconnectedness. By uniting under a shared vision, we can amplify our efforts, unlock greater funding, foster collaboration, and scale impactful solutions,” said Nik Nazmi.

Moderated by Dave Sivaprasad from Boston Consulting Group, the panel discussion featured three distinguished speakers, Sandeep Chamling Rai, Global Lead, WWF and IFRC Partnership and WWF International Climate and Energy Practice; Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Think City Board Director and Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah; and Richard J.T. Klein, Senior Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute, who explored the role of nature based solutions (NbS), technology, and collective action in driving climate adaptation and resilience efforts in Southeast Asia.

During the panel session, panellists offered compelling insights into strategies to address current and future climate challenges. Sandeep Chamling Rai emphasised the urgency of NbS to address the climate crises. “Nature is our secret ally but we need to understand the limitations of nature. We do have a time frame to optimise the use of NbS extensively to combat climate change. There is a lot that needs to be done and there is potential to scale up not only in Southeast Asia but beyond.”

Southeast Asia’s rich natural ecosystems are vital shields against climate change. The conversation centred on the importance of investing in NbS, not just as a means of adaptation, but as a pathway to strengthen and empower communities. “It is about centring our home, community and shared resources,” said Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki. She added that the role of technology should amplify what communities already know while harnessing ancestral knowledge and remaining culturally relevant.

The event also highlighted the Southeast Asia Climate Adaptation and Resilience (SEACAR) Alliance, formed in 2023 by Think City, WWF, and BCG, and officially launched at COP28 in Dubai. SEACAR, in collaboration with the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP), has announced plans for a Call for Solutions challenge aimed at surfacing impactful and scalable adaptation projects that integrate NbS with technology. This new initiative is set to highlight groundbreaking projects during COP30 in Brazil next year. Additionally, SEACAR is currently working on its second report to further strengthen regional climate resilience efforts.

In concluding his remarks, YB Nik Nazmi said, “As Malaysia takes the chairship of ASEAN in 2025, I urge us to come together as an ASEAN community and develop innovative solutions that not only protect our region but also serve as hope towards a sustainable, prosperous and resilient future for all.”

The press statement is issued by Think City, BCG, and WWF-Malaysia

The SEACAR Alliance is a collaboration between Think City, BCG, and WWF-Malaysia that emphasises the importance of nature-based solutions, climate analytics and AI in advancing the resilience of cities and communities.