A four-day “Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) Knowledge Replication Workshop on Green Climate Fund (GCF) Concept Note Development (Southeast and South Asia)” was successfully organized from 5-8 May 2026 at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was hosted by the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP) with financial support from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ). The training consisted of 21 selected participants from Southeast and South Asia who are seeking GCF funding, including government officials and technical experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, and Thailand. The programme aimed to strengthen regional capacity in translating National Adaptation Plan (NAP) priorities into bankable, finance-ready GCF concept notes and project pipelines.

The workshop formally opened with a welcoming remark by Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AITRRC.AP, who welcomed participants, colleagues, and partners to the training. He also highlighted that the programme combined applied pipeline development, peer learning, simulation-based training, and facilitation tools to strengthen participants’ capacity to prepare GCF concept notes, replicate knowledge through national training programmes, and foster a regional community of practice for continued collaboration and climate action. The keynote remarks were delivered virtually by Mr. Taiki Kohno, Assistant Director, Climate Change Adaptation Office, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan. He noted that although countries across Asia and the Pacific have made progress in developing NAPs and advancing adaptation efforts, these priorities still need to be transformed into bankable, finance-ready investment pipelines aligned with the GCF Investment Criteria. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening in-country expertise, training functions, and institutional systems to improve climate finance access.

Over the four days, participants engaged in expert-led sessions, peer learning, group exercises, and group presentations. The workshop also placed strong emphasis on training design and knowledge replication, supporting participants to plan, organize, and facilitate effective training workshops, as well as develop customized, context-specific GCF training courses. Through group exercises, participants prepared training content and institutional rollout plans to support the integration of GCF concept note development training into national institutions.

The workshop concluded with a post-training evaluation session, participant reflections, and a certificate award ceremony. By the end of the workshop, participants strengthened their understan​ding of the NAP-GCF linkage, gained practical experience in developing GCF concept notes, and enhanced their skills in training design, facilitation, and knowledge replication.