24 June 2021, Kobe—The Steering Committee at its 47th meeting considered and approved the Network’s programme of work and budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year starting 1 July 2021, which includes a portfolio of 24 research and capacity development projects and activities to enhance collaboration with regional partners.

Thirteen members, invited experts and observers from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, United States of America and Viet Nam participated in the meeting.

The Steering Committee approved funding for 11 proposals under the Scientific Capacity Development programme (CAPaBLE) and 13 proposals under the Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP) based on recommendations by the Capacity Development Committee and Scientific Planning Group Sub-Committee, which met on 21 and 22 June, respectively. The full results will be announced on the APN website in due course.

In addition to new subregional cooperation activities, the Steering Committee approved an activity that supports regional partnerships for climate adaptation, which is expected to contribute to the Capacity Building Program of the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT).

In the runup to the 47th SC Meeting, members of the Steering Committee and invited participants from Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, United States of America and Viet Nam met on 23 June to consider and develop methodologies to monitor and evaluate APN’s performance in its fifth Strategic Phase. The monitoring work is planned to start in October 2021.