13 June 2024, Jakarta — Government officials, scientists and representatives from observer organisations in 19 Asia-Pacific countries convene today in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the 26th Joint Intergovernmental Meeting and Scientific Planning Group Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). Hosted by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia’s cabinet-level agency for scientific research and national focal point in APN, the meeting will run from 13-14 June 2024.

The Intergovernmental Meeting, APN’s main decision-making body, will consider and approve the fiscal year 2024 work programme, set to begin in July. This programme will focus on APN-led activities that bridge science and policy, supporting member countries in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and commitments under the Paris Agreement, the UN Decade on Ocean Science, and other international sustainability initiatives.

“BRIN, with numerous researchers working across various topics including hard sciences, soft sciences, and cross-cutting issues, can serve as a significant resource that can be further enhanced through international research collaborations, including those with the APN,” said Prof. Amarulla Octavian, Vice Chairman of BRIN, in his welcome remarks.

Dr. Linda Stevenson, Acting Director of the APN Secretariat, emphasised APN’s dedication to addressing global change and sustainability challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. “By fostering international collaboration, APN supports research action, bridges science and policy, and builds scientific capacity. Over almost 30 years, these efforts have created impactful solutions for pressing environmental issues, effectively linking scientific outcomes with policy mechanisms and enhancing the capacities of early career professionals, policymakers, practitioners, and local communities,” she remarked.

The meeting will not only decide on new projects and activities but also agree on strategic steps to improve APN’s effectiveness in meeting member countries’ needs, enhancing its impact, and expanding its financial capacities.

In a move to broaden regional partnerships, the meeting will feature the ceremonial signing of Memoranda of Understanding between APN and the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and APN and the University of the South Pacific, Fiji. Observers from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Center of Research for Environment, Energy, and Water (CREEW), and other partner organisations will also participate, exploring strategic collaboration opportunities with APN and its members.

Through an interactive session at the Meeting, the Secretariat will officially launch APN’s book “Linking climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and loss and damage”, with supporting remarks conveyed by one of the five editors and inception expert of the APN’s Climate Adaptation Framework, Dr Akio Takemoto, Head of Programme and Administration at the UNU Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS). In a second interactive session to support the capacity development of early career professionals, ten early career professionals from Indonesia are invited to present their research in APN’s 10th Poster and Networking session themed on “Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction”. The best poster will be awarded the APN Mitra Award for Global Environment Change.

With a vision to strengthen the capacity of the region to address the challenges of global change and sustainability, APN supports multi-country transdisciplinary research projects that provide underpinning scientific input to the policymaking community. APN also focuses on developing the capacity of individuals and organisations to conduct high-quality research, and on strengthening interactions between the science and policymaking communities to support actionable science and informed decision-making.

For more information please contact:

• Dr Erna Sri Adiningsih, Executive Director of the Indonesian Space Agency Secretariat (INASA) at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), email: [email protected]; 
• Dr Linda Anne Stevenson, Acting Director, APN Secretariat, email: [email protected];
• Ms Rieko Tamura, Chief Programme Officer, APN Secretariat, email: [email protected]