For three years, the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations has been defining the model of global development cooperation. In this framework, the states agreed on 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs). An essential element of these goals, which span all fields of development policy, is the involvement of the local population in planning and decision-making processes. The population is strongly affected by energy and climate policy decisions; however the population is not be heard in the most Asian countries. On the initiative of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), civil society organizations from the region have formed a platform for a regular exchange of experience. The Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM) not only coordinates development initiatives throughout Asia, but also represents them at high-level regional and global summits.

For meetings of the Asian Environment Ministers, APRCEM organizes an annual accompanying event together with the UN organizations UNESCAP and UNEP. There have social representatives from the Asia-Pacific region the opportunity to present their views and demands to decision makers, particularly in regard to a sustainable climate and raw materials policy. Following its successful support last year, KAS RECAP participates for the second time in this year's forum and enables representatives from many countries to participate.

As in the previous year, about 200 representatives from non-governmental and civil society organizations as well as local communities gathered in Bangkok / Thailand for a forum from 25 to 27 March 2018. They come from all regions of Asia and the Pacific, as well as from different social classes and professional groups, and are organized in thematic interest groups/ stakeholders.

A preparatory workshop dealt with environmental rights of the population. In the forum, plenary sessions and group phases were alternated. For introduction, the developments since last year have been recapitulated. The former statement had been included in both the ‘Joint Memorandum’ of Asian Environment Ministers and the opinion of the UN International Environmental Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants wanted to build on this success and use their in the meantime grown network for improved lobbying.

On the first day, the SDG process within the United Nations and its meaning for civil society was on the agenda. The participants attested to the regional community of states a progress in the concrete introduction of the SDGs as well as the cross-border cooperation. However, many weaknesses have been identified, including inadequate community involvement at local level. The following day, participation opportunities and strategies of civil society were in the foreground. It dealt with the question, how the UN and national governments implement the development goals and how the local population can and should contribute with their knowledge. Representatives of the United Nations explained their views on civil society participation and emphasized their great importance for the SDG process. They advised the attendees to report their interests directly to the national UNDP offices.

The last day was devoted for concrete strategies for coordinating and influencing society. The effects of climate change, which are already strongly felt at the local level, such as diminishing resources and income opportunities, migration and the climate-political inclusion of all population groups were on the agenda.

The interactive group sessions on all three days allowed for targeted consultation at the sub-regional level and in the various interest groups. The expansion of the networks was not neglected. With the participation of all groups, APRCEM prepared an opinion with political recommendations and demands. At the closing session of the forum, all presenters finalized and adopted the paper. It can be downloaded here.

The Forum was followed by this year's UNESCAP organized Summit on Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific. This three-day event brought together representatives from ministries to co-ordinate intra-regional co-operation at the political level. Some representatives of the civil society forum were able to participate in the summit and presented their opinion to the politicians. Selected participants of the Forum will also be invited to the United Nations Environmental Assembly in March 2019 in Nairobi (UNEA-4). There they bring the environmental and energy policy knowledge, experiences and demands of the people of Asia into the international agenda.

A report of the organizers can be found here.