INPACC Inception Workshop

The Workshop Participants Portal houses the resources from the INPACC Inception Workshop which took place in Bangkok in November 2023.

Information you will find:
1. Workshop Information and Details
2. Workshop Agenda
3. Downloadable Resources
4. Workshop Presenters/Participants
5. *NEW* Post-workshop report
6. *NEW* Graphics capturing discussions

Workshop Information and Details

Information
Melbourne Climate Futures (MCF) convened a three-day Inception Workshop to launch the Indo-Pacific Climate Hub (INPACC Hub), titled “Collaborations to Accelerate Adaptation and Climate Resilient Development."
Dates
8–10 November 2023
Location
Aloft Bangkok – 35 Sukhumvit 11 Alley,Klongtoey-nua, Watthana, Bangkok
Background
Committed to a collaborative approach to establishing and progressing the INPACC Hub, MCF hosted the Inception Workshop as a key mechanism for gathering invaluable input, insights and expertise from across the region. Discussions at the workshop have already informed the hub's strategy, direction and activities.
Objectives
The INPACC Hub Inception Workshop brought together key regional researchers and practitioners to:
Establish agreement on the distinct value add of a regional Hub
Affirm priority activities and to co-design an action plan to advance these regionally
Outcomes and Outputs
Following the workshop, participants have:
A comprehensive understanding and compilation of location-specific needs and priorities across the region
A vision for activating the INPACC Hub to effectively address these
Post-workshop, MCF has developed and circulated:
A summary report, including key discussions, agreed actions and next steps
A business case that prioritises activities and articulates an agreed path forward to effectively leverage participants’ expertise and networks

INPACC Hub Inception Workshop Agenda

Welcome Dinner
Tuesday 7 November (7:30pm for 8:00pm)
Venue: Aloft Bangkok's Crave Restaurant
Day 1
Wednesday 8 November
Registration and tea/Coffee (From 8.30am)
9.00am - 9.45am
Workshop commences:
• Welcome and housekeeping (5 mins)
• Context and workshop objectives (10 mins)
• Expectation setting exercise (10 mins)
• Overview of current activities and gaps in the region (based on survey results) followed by Q&A (20 mins)
9.45am - 11.00am
Scene setting:
• Presentations from participants on examples of effective efforts:
• Governance and regulation (30 mins)
• Health(30mins)
Followed by Q&A and discussion (15 mins)
Morning tea (11.00am - 11:30am)
11.30am - 12.45pm
Scene setting:
• Presentations from participants on examples of effective efforts:
• Agriculture and water (30 mins)
• Energy (30 mins)
Followed by Q&A and discussion (15 mins)
Lunch (12.45pm - 1.30m)
1.30pm - 3.00pm
Cross-cutting themes (Pt 1): 
• Biodiversity (20 mins)
• Settlements (20 mins)
• Climate finance (20 mins)
Followed by Q&A and discussion (30 mins)
Afternoon tea (3.00pm - 3.15pm)
3.15pm - 4.45pm
Cross-cutting themes (Pt 2):
• Integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change into economicinfrastructure (30 mins) • Gender equity, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) (30 mins)
Followed by Q&A and discussion (30 mins)
4.45pm - 5.00pm
Wrap up:
• Overview of tomorrow’s agenda (15 mins)
Day 2
Thursday 9 November
Tea/Coffee (From 8.30am)
9.00am - 9.30am
Workshop commences:
• Summary of Day 1 discussion (30 mins)
9.30am - 11.00am
Needs assessment and co-designing the INPACC Hub (Pt 1):
Governance and regulation
• Current gaps in efforts and priority activities (in groups of 6-8) (45mins)
• Report back (45 mins)
Morning tea (11.00am - 11:30am)
11.30am - 1.00pm
Needs assessment and co-designing the INPACC Hub (Pt 2):
Health
• Current gaps in efforts and priority activities (in groups of 6-8) (45mins)
• Report back (45 mins)
Lunch (1.00pm - 1.45pm)
1.45pm - 3.15pm
Needs assessment and co-designing the INPACC Hub (Pt 3):
Agriculture and water
• Current gaps in efforts and priority activities (in groups of 6-8) (45mins)
• Report back (45 mins)
Afternoon tea (3.15pm - 3.30pm)
3.30pm - 5.00pm
Needs assessment and co-designing the INPACC Hub (Pt 4):
Energy transitions
• Current gaps in efforts and priority activities (break into groups of 6-8) (45mins)
• Report back (45 mins)
5.00pm - 5.15pm
Wrap up:
• Overview of tomorrow’s agenda (15 mins)
Day 3
Friday 10 November
Tea/Coffee (From 8.30am)
9.00am - 9.30am
Workshop commences:
• Summary of Day 1 & 2 (30 mins)
9.30am - 11.00am
Co-designing the INPACC Hub (Pt 5):
• Articulating the value proposition and identifying effective governance structures (break into groups of 4-6) (45 mins)
Report back (45 mins)
Morning tea (11.00am - 11:30am)
11.30am - 1.00pm
Co-designing the INPACC Hub (Pt 6):
• Stakeholder mapping and funding opportunities (30 mins)
Report back (30 mins)
Lunch (1.00pm - 1.45pm)
1.45pm - 3.15pm
Workshop wrap up:
• Thank you and next steps

Downloadable workshop resources

Leveraging Australian Climate Networks to Maximise Indo-Pacific Adaptation and Resilience Efforts
Identifying Opportunities to Accelerate Indo-Pacific Climate Adaptation and Resilience Efforts
Leveraging Indo-Pacific Climate Networksto Maximise Regional Adaptation andResilience Efforts
INPACC Hub Inception Workshop Agenda Document
Post-workshop Summary Report

Workshop Presenters/Participants

Prof Jackie Peel

Director, Melbourne Climate Futures


Jackie is a Professor at Melbourne Law School. She is a leading, internationally-recognised expert in the field of environmental and climate change law and an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Australia. She has published widely in climate and environmental law, including leading monographs on Climate Litigation and Principles of International Environmental Law.
Assoc. Prof Ben Neville

Deputy Director – Strategic Partnerships & Community Impact, Melbourne Climate Futures


Ben is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management & Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne. Ben researches and teaches in sustainable business and society, including corporate social responsibility, business ethics, ethical consumption and social entrepreneurship. He is a Section Editor of the Corporate Responsibility (Theory and Qualitative) section of the leading international academic Journal of Business Ethics.
Prof Kathryn Bowen

Deputy Director Knowledge Translation – Melbourne Climate Futures


Kathryn is Professor in the Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, and an Affiliate Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Potsdam, Germany. Kathryn works at the nexus of global environmental change, global health and governance issues primarily in low and middle-income settings.  Kathryn holds several key international roles, including Lead Author on the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, a member of the Science Committee of the World Adaptation Science Program; a member of the Steering Committee of the Future Earth Health Knowledge Action Network (Health KAN), and a member of the Taskforce on Planetary Justice Research as part of the Earth System Governance network.
Janine Felson

Enterprise Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures


Janine is a senior level diplomat of the Government of Belize. She has served as legal counsel in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Belize-United Nations. She has been and continues to be a principal advocate for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in complex international negotiations on global development policy, climate change, climate finance, law of the sea and oceans governance.  She is presently supporting the development the Indo-Pacific Climate Hub, as its Inaugural Head, with a focus on thought leadership and capacity building in adaptation and resilience.
Dr Lily O'Neill

Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures


Lily is a legal researcher examining energy transition, climate repair, environmental regulation, native title and agreement-making.  Her particular focus for MCF is how these issues impact and benefit First Nations people in research projects that are First Nations community identified. Lily is a former legal practitioner at a major Australian law firm, a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, World Commission on Environmental Law, and on the committee of local environmental group Sustainable Upper Ovens. She lives regionally on the country of the Taungurung people in north-east Victoria.
Anthony Stark

Manager, Melbourne Climate Futures


Anthony came to MCF after a successful 20-year career in banking and finance that saw him work in various strategy, product and team leadership roles across Asia, the Pacific and Australia. An avid mountain biker, trail runner and hiker with a strong interest in sustainability and climate change issues, Anthony completed a Master of Environment at the University of Melbourne in 2018 before going on to undertake a PhD at the University of Tasmania, where he is currently researching the policy and justice considerations required to deliver a just energy transition.
Dr Annabelle (Belle) Workman

Research Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures


Belle is a qualitative researcher with research interests that include climate change, human health, policy development, air quality and just energy transitions. She completed a PhD investigating the role of health co-benefits in the development of climate change mitigation policies in 2019 at the University of Melbourne’s Climate and Energy College. Since her PhD, she has completed a Research Fellowship at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research with the environmental health group evaluating the smartphone health app, AirRater. Most recently, she has been a project officer with the University of Tasmania sustainability team and knowledge broker at the Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research.
A/Prof Dr Ramon Lorenzo Guinto

Associate Professor of Global Public Health Director of the Planetary and Global Health Program, St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine


In 2020, A/Prof Renzo Guinto was included by Tatler Magazine in its Gen.T List of 400 leaders of tomorrow who are shaping Asia’s future. In 2022, he was named in the “40 Under 40 List” by the Boston Congress of Public Health; one of the 50 Most Influential Voices in Healthcare Globally by The Medika Life; and one of The Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines for his contributions to health and medicine.

An Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader and Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow, Renzo has been a member of five Lancet Commissions and has served as consultant for various organizations including: WHO; WHO Foundation; World Bank; USAID; IOM; and Philippine Department of Health. He sits on the editorial boards of The Lancet Planetary Health, PLOS Global Public Health, Journal of Climate Change and Health, and Journal of Migration and Health.

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A/Prof Helena Varkkey

Associate Professor of Environmental Politics,Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaya


Helena's areas of expertise include transboundary haze governance in Southeast Asia and global palm oil politics. Her monograph on “The Haze Problem in Southeast Asia: Palm Oil and Politics” was published by Routledge in 2016. Her latest book is a collection of essays on the politics of haze and the environment in Southeast Asia called “The Forests for the Palms” published by ISEAS Singapore in 2021. Dr Helena has almost two decades of experience in qualitative research, including conducting fieldwork, interviews, and focus groups among various government and non-government stakeholders, and has built up extensive research networks in countries across ASEAN. She has edited and produced reports for the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, UNICEF, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

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A/Prof Jason Lee Kai Wei

Associate Professor, Human Potential Translational Research Programme and Heat Resilience & Performance Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS


A/Prof Jason Lee's primary research interests revolve around fluid balance, thermoregulation, and strategies to enhance human performance. He particularly focuses on the physiological demands of heat stress and how humans adapt to optimize performance and survival. Jason is actively involved in national and international panels related to human performance and safety. His research has led to the development of a comprehensive heat management system, involving the assessment of heat strain in different contexts, the formulation and evaluation of heat mitigation strategies, and their translation into policies, training directives, and safety regulations.

Currently, Jason chairs the National Work Group on Heat Stress Guidelines for Workers in Singapore, and a member of the WHO and WMO Report on Climate Change on Workers' Health and Productivity. He also chairs the Scientific Committee on Thermal Factors at the International Commission on Occupational Health.

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A/Prof Joeli Veitayaki

Associate Professor of Marine StudiesSchool of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Science Marine StudiesUniversity of the South Pacific


Joeli Veitayaki is an accomplished academic and environmental expert, currently based at the University of the South Pacific. In addition to this, he has a diverse range of roles, including being the Director for the International Ocean Institute Pacific Islands, Co-Chair of the Korea-South Pacific Ocean Forum (KSPOFF), and a member of the Panel of Experts for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.

Joeli has dedicated his career to the study of human-environment relations. His research interests encompass various topics, including subsistence and artisanal fisheries, indigenous knowledge, traditional resource management systems, climate change, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, and regional cooperation in the Pacific Islands.

Joeli has played a pivotal role in the development and coordination of community-based initiatives in the Lomani Gau network, fostering partnerships between development organizations and the 16 villages of Gau Island in Fiji to promote sustainable resource management.

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A/Prof Linda Yanti Sulistaiwati

Senior Research Fellow, APCELAssociate Professor of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada


A/Prof Sulistaiwati is an internationally recognised scholar in Indonesian international environmental law and her research has established her as a leading expert who is frequently consulted by the Indonesian government and international organizations. Her research focuses on international environmental issues, such as climate change, REDD+, land issues and customary (adat) issues. Linda was a member of the delegation leading Indonesia’s negotiations of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. From 2018 to 2021, Linda is a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report. Linda was a Visiting Fellow at APCEL from 5 August 2019 to 3 September 2019 under the APCEL Visiting Fellow Programme.

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Dr Arj Dibley

Senior Research Associate & Head of Sustainable Finance Hub, Melbourne Climate Futures


In addition to his role at MCF, Arj is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Oxford’s Smith-School for Enterprise and Environment. He is an expert in environmental law and economics. He uses quantitative and qualitative methods to research various aspects of climate change law and economics, sustainable finance, energy policy and corporate governance. Among others, his work has and will be published in Nature, Harvard Environmental Law Review, Journal of Cleaner Production and Foreign Policy. He has also published significant policy reports, including as a lead author on the United Nations Environment Programme’s Adaptation Gap Report.
Dr Chandni Singh

Senior Research Consultant - Practice Indian Institute for Human Settlements


Chandni Singh works at the interface of climate change and development in rural and urban geographies within the global South. At IIHS, she works on issues of climate change adaptation, differential vulnerability and wellbeing, disaster risk and recovery, livelihoods transitions, and rural-urban migration. Chandni has worked on climate change projects such as the IDRC/FCDO funded Adaptation at Scale in Semi-arid Regions (ASSAR) and SDC-funded ‘CapaCITIES – Migration, Livelihoods and Climate Resilience’. She has led interdisciplinary, international projects such as IIED-funded ‘Long-term Impacts of Humanitarian Action in Chennai’ (2016-2017), British Academy funded Recovery with Dignity (2018-2021), and Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture as Green Infrastructure (2019-2022). Using a social-ecological systems lens, her work examines human dimensions of global environmental change, pathways for transformational change, and levers for equitable adaptation.

Chandni is a Lead Author of the IPCC’s Assessment Report 6 in 2022 on ‘Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability’ and a Contributing Author of the IPCC’s 2018 Special Report on 1.5°C. She has taught postgraduate level courses on climate change adaptation, sustainability, research methodology, and development studies. She is also interested in science communication for lay audiences and is a published poet.

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Annie Tuisuga

Manager, Environment & Renewable EnergyScientific Research Organisation of Samoa


In addition to her management role at SROS, Annie Tuisuga is a researcher the Samoa Biodiscovery Centre. SROS works to implement and support the Government’s strategy for the Development of Samoa by providing the research, training, and analysis required for competitive research, and market opportunities and to provide a foundation for scientific research in Samoa.

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Dr Amir Bazaz

Senior Lead - Practice Indian Institute for Human Settlements,  Bangalore.


PhD in Management (Public Systems) from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. Prior to PhD, 6+ years of professional experience in the automotive & light engineering industry. My areas of interest lie in researching on themes of environment-energy-economic nexus, with additional focus on energy-environment-economic modeling, low carbon technologies/assessment, public systems, public policy and sustainable development, urban development and finance; with additional emphasis on the economics of climate change.

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Dr Hilda Waka-Sakiti

Lecturer University of the South Pacific


Hilda is a lecturer and course coordinator with expertise in Environmental Management, Conservation & Biodiversity, Terrestrial Ecology Insect Taxonomy & Biogeography and Climate Change.

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Dr Mandira Dhimal

Associate Research FellowPolicy Research Institute (PRI), Government of Nepal


Mandira's PhD dissertation used gender perspectives on the health impacts of environmental and climate change in Nepal. As a returning expert of CIM/GIZ Germany, she worked for three years (2018-2021) as a research and social development advisor for Nepal Pollution Control and Environmental Management Centre. Currently, she is involved in policy research on education, urban health,  women, children, senior citizen and disability at PRI. She has published a book entitled “Gender Dimensions of Health Impact of Climate Change in Nepal: A Comprehensive Empirical Study”.

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Banashri Sinha

Senior Climate Change Specialist UNFCCC


Banashri Sinha is an experienced project management professional and researcher with 14 years of experience working in Sustainable Development Issues, Policy Analysis, and Program Evaluation with UN and International agencies. Covered a broad range of issues related to SDGs and MDGs, including South-South Cooperation, integrated natural resource management (water-food-energy security), urban plans integrating climate resilient aspects, disaster risk reduction and management strategies, eco-efficient water infrastructure development and health issues, governance, climate change, waste management, and addressing gender dimensions in each of these areas.

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Aslam Perwaiz

Disaster and Climate Resilience Management Specialist Deputy Executive Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center


Aslam Perwaiz has years of experience in developing, managing and delivering high-impact programmes in the context of economic analysis, sustainable development, environment, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. He has substantive field work experience in more than 15 countries (Asia, Pacific and Africa) with national and sub national work programme development and implementation in emergency preparedness planning, post-disaster damage and loss assessment, recovery planning, private sector resilience, training and capacity building framework and curriculum development, resource mobilization and DRM institutional development. He has a comprehensive, practical understanding of the disaster risk management systems and climate change issues in international, regional (Asia and Pacific, Europe, Africa) and sub-regional context (ASEAN, SAARC, SOPAC, Central Asia) context with hands-on experience in institutional strengthening, research & analysis, and implementing on-the-ground risk reduction initiatives at the local, national, and regional levels.

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Dr Matthew Baird

Director, Asian Research Institute for Environmental Law


Dr Matthew Baird has worked as an environmental law advisor and consultant throughout the ASEAN Region. His focus is on the development and implementation of effective and efficient mechanisms for environmental governance. He has a PhD in Environmental Governance from the University of Southern Queensland.

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Dr Pritha Datta

Consultant, Asia Development Bank InstituteAssistant Professor, TERI School of Advanced Studies


Dr Pritha Datta's research interests include impacts of climate change on agriculture, adaptation, maladaptive outcomes, and spatial analysis. Her doctoral research was focused on unraveling the farmers’ perception of climate change.

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Dr Rodel Lasco

Senior Scientist, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)Executive Director, The Oscar M. Lopez Center


Dr Rodel Lasco has almost 40 years of experience in natural resources and environmental research, conservation, education and development. His work has focused on issues related to natural resources conservation, climate change and land degradation.Rodel is an author of several reports of the IPCC, the 2007 co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He is a member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in the Philippines. He is the Executive Director of the Oscar M Lopez Center, a private foundation whose mission is to promote action research on climate adaptation and disasters risk reduction. Concurrently, he is a senior scientist of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), a center devoted to promoting “trees on farms”. He is an affiliate professor at the University of the Philippines.

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Dr Meghnath Dhimal

Chief Research Officer, Nepal Health Research Council Associate Academician, Nepal Academy of Science & Technology (NAST);  Fellow, International Science Council


Dr. Meghnath Dhimal is a highly experienced Environmental Health Scientist with more than two decades of work spanning Nepal, Maldives, Timor-Leste, and Germany. His expertise primarily lies in environmental health, with a strong focus on climate change and its impact on health. As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Dhimal has taken the lead on numerous research projects encompassing environmental and climate change, non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, burden of diseases, and health systems research in Nepal. He has made significant contributions to the development of health, population, and environment policies and plans in both Nepal and abroad.

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Julie Amoroso-Garbin

Regional Lead, UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Center for Asia and the Pacific


Julie Amoroso-Garbin is an international relations and project management professional with over ten years of experience in the climate change and environment sectors. Prior to starting with the UN in 2014, Julie worked for the Philippines Climate Change Commission and the Department of Natural Resources.

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Jason Titifanue

PhD candidateSchool of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric SciencesUniversity of Melbourne


Jason Titifanue's doctoral research focuses on climate activism in the online context.

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Mingkwan Kaewjampa

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Officer Partnerships for Infrastructure

Mingkwan Naewjampa is a Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change (DRRCC) Officer at Partnership for Infrastructure (P4I), an Australian Government initiative to foster inclusive and sustainable growth through sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Mingkwan's role focuses on integrating disaster and climate considerations into economic infrastructure projects across Southeast Asian region. Prior to this role, Mingkwan worked as an Environmental and Social (E&S) Consultant at Environmental Resource Management (ERM), a global sustainability consultancy, conducting E&S impact assessments and due diligence for infrastructure and power sector projects in Southeast Asian region. Mingkwan's educational background is in Sustainability Science.
Mashida Rashid

Regional Project CoordinatorUNDP Bangkok Regional Hub


Mashida Rashid is a public health specialist with a decade of experience in international health and development. Her  specialization is  climate change and health and she is currently providing technical and implementation guidance to strengthening health systems to climate change in the LDCs. She also works with multi-sectoral collaborations in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and tobacco control in the Asia Pacific.

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Nassim Abiza

Consultant - Asian Disaster Preparedness Center


Nassim Abiza is currently working on the research project titled "Climate Change and Human Health in the Indo-Pacific Region as part of his role at the ADPC. He has a Masters degree in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action and a Bachelors Degree in Politics and International Relations.

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Prof Dr Rozita Hod

Head, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)


Prof Rozita Hod is a public health physician and  Environmental Health Specialist. Her main research interest is Climate Change and impacts on health. She was appointed as a Country Consultant for United Nations University and WHO for Neglected Tropical Disease Program in 2019; she was the core team and Project Leader for Malaysian One Health University Network on Zoonotic Diseases. She is a member of the LRGS Grant on 1.5 to 2.0 Celcius Global Warming and Impacts on Health. She is also the honorary secretary for Thematic Working Group 10 (Environmental Health Experts) for the National Environmental Health Action Plan(NEHAP), Ministry of Health, Malaysia since 2018 till 2022.

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Ritwika Verma

Research Associate, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad


Ritwika Verma is an energy and climate researcher with a strong background in policy advocacy. Her interest lies in shaping a more sustainable future by contributing to evidence-based policy solutions that address the complex challenges facing our planet. She is involved in analyzing the latest policies and regulations in the energy and environment sector to bridge the gap between science and policy by translating complex research into policy recommendations that promote sustainability, resilience, and innovation. Thus, promoting clean energy adoption, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering environmentally responsible practices within industries and governments.

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Minoru Nishi Jr

Managing Director, Nishi Trading Co. Ltd


Based in Tonga, Nishi Trading Co has been commercially farming exporting and importing fresh fruit and vegetables for over 40 years. Since Minoru Jr joined the family run company, it has diversified its operations to the Nishi Quarry and manufacturing plant (2002), an Agri-Store (2005) and the Nishi Foundation. Minoru Jr is also responsible for building a HACCP certified pack house in Tonga (2014) and the first pack house to be certified with SCHS (Sea Container Hygiene System) in the Pacific.

The Nishi foundation is a charitable arm of Nishi Trading and has successfully implemented a TNQB approved Horticultural Certificate Course Level 2, a healthy eating educational program (Mai e Nima) and many research projects with development partners such and Tokyo University of Agriculture, University of the Sunshine Coast, Brother International, ACIAR and CSIRO. Minoru has also had extensive experience on boards of regional bodies such as PIFON and PHARMA PLUS (MAWG), and local boards such as MORDI, Tonga Development Bank and Tonga Post.

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Rose-Liza Osorio

Environmental Lawyer; Professor, University of Cebu School of Law; Legal and Policy Analyst, Oceana Philippines; & Managing Trustee at Phil. Earth Justice Center, Inc.


Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio is a lecturer at the University of Cebu in the Philippines teaching environmental law, public and private international law, legal research and writing, and human rights law. At the same time, she is the Faculty Adviser and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Research in Law and Policy. She is also one of the faculty members who acts as official representative to the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law (IUCNAEL). She is also a member of IUCN’s World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL). She is also one of the founders and managing trustee of the Philippine Earth Justice Center, Inc. (PEJC), which has filed several environmental cases in the Philippines, including the landmark decision of the Supreme Court in Resident Marine Mammals and Dolphins vs. Reyes where she is one of the two lawyers who were recognized as the stewards of the dolphins and whales of Tañon Strait Protected Seascape in Central Philippines against illegal oil exploration in a protected seascape.

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Sithasa Kanchanavijaya

National Communications Consultant, UNDP Asia Pacific


Sithasa is a communications professional working on  UNDP projects including: Regional Youth Programme communications for the UNDP-UNICEF Joint Programme, the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) and Youth Co:Lab.

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Shafiqul Alam

Energy Finance AnalystInstitute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)


Shafiqul Alam has extensive experience in development cooperation, having worked in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change project planning, implementation and management, advisory services, technology transfer, policy formulation, strategic collaborations and access to finance.  He has conducted studies on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sectoral needs assessment and carbon pricing. He has led the formulation of national energy audit regulations. Among other things, he has supported the capacity development of different actors on sustainable energy and climate change.

An engineer by background, Shafiqul Alam holds a Master’s in Environmental Economics along with an MBA in Finance. In 2018, he received the prestigious International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. He is also a recipient of the clean energy fellowship of the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), USA.

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Trishna Rana

Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion Adviser. Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I)


Trishna Rana is a Gender and Social Inclusion specialist with 10 years’ experience in advancing the inclusion of marginalized groups including women, sexual and gender minorities, and persons with disabilities through providing technical guidance and promoting and facilitating the implementation of social inclusion strategies in international organizations.

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Suvimali Suraweera

Youth Co:Lab Operations Coordinator, UNDP Asia Pacific


Suvimali is a project management and finance professional with qualifications in Science, Business and Accountancy.

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Suppakorn Chinvanno

Advisor, Southeast Asia START Regional Center, Chulalongkorn University


Southeast START Regional Center has been conducting the study in Southeast Asia region on climate change impact, vulnerability and adaptation since 1997 with main objectives to get basic understanding on climate change at the regional scale and also to develop research capacity as well as research network in the region to study climate change impact, vulnerability and adaptation. In addition, the goal of the climate change study at SEA START RC is also to develop, modify and test various tools and methodologies for the study in this subject.

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Vanessa Carriedo

Coordinator, Asia Pacific Adaptation Network, UNEP


Vanessa Carriedo is a development communications and project management professional and a media and private sector relations specialist. She has a Masters of Development Communication and Science Communication.

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Sophie Robinson

Sophie Robinson is a researcher at the University of Melbourne and a member of the Melbourne Climate Futures Academy. Her research sits at the interface of climate change, health, social-ecological systems and governance. Sophie's PhD research explores the role of governance in the climate-resilient development of healthcare systems and seeks to identify particular governance structures, mechanisms and attributes that enhance adaptive and transformative capacities of healthcare systems and enable climate-resilient development.

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Suruchi Bhadwal

Director, Earth Science and Climate ChangeThe Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)


Suruchi Bhadwal leads research activities in the area of climate change, focusing mainly on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation assessments and works in close association with communities. Recent projects include a study on vulnerability to climate change in the Indian agricultural sector in the context of economic globalization; contributions to India's first and second national communications submitted to the UNFCCC and World Bank supported study on vulnerability to climate variability and change through an assessment of issues and options for adaptation.

Suruchi is also listed as a UNDP regional roster of experts on vulnerability and adaptation, and has been identified as a Member by the Planning Commission as part of a Working Group on Climate Change and Environment for the XIIth V Year Plan (2012-2017). She has also been closely associated with the International Human Dimensions Programme attending numerous open meetings and Institutes organised by them. At COP events she has been actively involved, as an observer, organizer and contributor.  

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Thunpicha Pinniam

Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change (DRR CC) and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Coordinator


Thunpicha Pinniam works as the Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change (DRR CC) and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Coordinator for the Laos-Australia Connectivity Program under the Partnership for Infrastructure, an Australian Government initiative in collaboration with Southeast Asia. Her role focuses on ensuring that resilience and inclusion elements are seamlessly integrated into the project activities by working with panels with distinct DRRCC and GEDSI expertise. Prior to this role, Thun worked as a Project Coordinator for an EU-funded project, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Asia Project, supporting technical and capacity development for cities across Asia. Thun holds a bachelor's degree in International Development and Environmental Policy and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Climate and Energy Policy at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).