A three-day Regional Training Workshop on “Strengthening Capacity for Multi-Sectoral Inclusion in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process in the Asia-Pacific Region: Implementing NAPs through Nature-Based Solutions and Early Warning Systems” was successfully held from 11-13 March 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

This workshop was organized by the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP) in collaboration with the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RCC Asia Pacific) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with support from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ).

The event brought together 18 government officials and technical experts from Bhutan, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, representing ministries and agencies responsible for climate change, environment, disaster risk management, and national planning. The training aimed at supporting governments in the Asia-Pacific region in advancing their NAP processes by strengthening technical capacities and introducing practical tools and internationally tested approaches for adaptation planning and implementation.

The workshop commenced with welcome remarks from Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, who emphasized the need to translate NAPs into practical action through nature-based solutions (NbS), early warning systems (EWS), and strengthened regional cooperation. Dr. Paul Desanker, Manager of the Adaptation Division at UNFCCC, followed with the keynote address, highlighting progress in developing NAPs over the past decade and emphasized the need to scale up good practices and mobilize finance to accelerate adaptation implementation.

In his keynote remarks, Dr. Dindo Campilan, Regional Director for Asia and Hub Director for Oceania at IUCN, emphasized that effective implementation of NAPs requires strong multi-sectoral collaboration, stronger links with biodiversity and development planning, and improved capacity to access climate adaptation finance. Ms. Yuko Yoshida, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Science and Adaptation Office, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ), also delivered a keynote speech, highlighting the importance of shifting from NAP planning to implementation through stronger institutional coordination, NbS, EWS, public-private partnerships, and finance-ready adaptation actions.

Participants also actively engaged in group exercise sessions, including mapping NbS within national NAP frameworks and developing a Theory of Change (ToC) for Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Proposals and Adaptation Project Concept Notes (CNs) formulation. These exercises provided participants with hands-on experience in transforming national adaptation priorities into implementable plans, bankable projects, and interdisciplinary adaptation approaches. The workshop concluded with reflections from participants and partners on the importance

The workshop concluded with reflections from participants and partners on the importance of strengthening inter-organizational collaboration, mobilizing climate finance, and integrating ecosystem-based approaches and EWS to support effective NAP implementation. Participants also appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from regional experts and peers, highlighting the value of continued regional cooperation and knowledge sharing in advancing climate resilience across the Asia-Pacific region.​