The Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting of the Policy Forum on Development (PFD 2026) on Climate Resilience has kicked off in Jakarta

On June 2, 2026, driven by a spirit of broad international cooperation, the Regional Meeting of the Policy Forum on Development (PFD) for Asia and the Pacific opened in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. This prestigious gathering brought together over 100 European Union officials, civil society leaders, and representatives of local organizations. They all united around a single, urgent mission: to breathe local life into global climate ambitions.

Central Asia was represented by civil society stakeholders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Berkeli Atayev, Director of the Enterprise of the “Tebigy Kuvvat” Public Organization and representative of the Aarhus Center in Turkmenistan, is participating in this global dialogue.

The introductory session was moderated by Ms. Michela Tomasella, Head of Sector for Dialogue with Civil Society and Foundations at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (G2). She welcomed all participants and officials, including the honorable ambassadors of Greece and Romania to Indonesia, and outlined the goals and objectives of the 2-day forum (PFD 2026).

Welcome remarks were then delivered by: Mr. Leonardo A. A. Teguh Sambodo, Expert Staff for Food, Natural Resources, and Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning of Indonesia (Bappenas); Mr. Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC).

Session 1, titled “Localizing the Climate Agenda for Shared Prosperity,” featured a panel discussion dedicated to different paradigms of climate action as a development priority rooted in equity.

Ms. Shivangi Hasmukhlal Chavda, India Programme Manager at the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), moderated the panel session. The discussion aimed at understanding various forms of climate finance (beyond the public sector and Official Development Assistance — ODA), as well as the roles of different actors, including governments, local authorities, banks, the EU, civil society organizations, and foundations.

The panel speakers included: Ms. Monalisa Kashyap, Programme and Advocacy Coordinator for the Asia and Pacific Youth Committee of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA-AP); Mr. Jodel Dacara, WINGS Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific; Ms. Emeline Siale Ilolahia, Executive Director of the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO); and Ms. Pefi Kingi, Coordinator of Pacific Migration Partners, a partner organization of PIANGO.

The second session, “Rethinking Climate Governance and Financing,” explored creative and innovative financing models to understand how climate finance, loss and damage funds, and adaptation funding can be co-designed, managed, and monitored by local communities. The panel, moderated by Ms. Usha Menon (GNDR), focused on finding alternative, community-driven economic pathways. Speakers for this session included: Ms. Lazina Rahman (Asian Development Bank), Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif (former Executive Director of UN-Habitat), Mr. Suhrit Bajwa (EdelGive), Ms. Elenita San Roque (Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions), and Mr. Ravi Ranjan Kumar Guru (All India Institute of Local Self-Government).

In the afternoon, the forum split into specialized breakout groups under Session 3, “Just Climate Finance, Business, and Partnerships.” Here, abstract financial concepts were tightly linked with strict ethical principles. A particular emphasis was placed on compliance with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to guarantee that “green” investments are never made at the expense of social safeguards and human rights.

At the conclusion of the day’s work, the forum participants reconvened for a general plenary session. The breakout group facilitators presented their findings to finance experts. The subsequent analysis served as a prime example of open, honest, and constructive dialogue.

Ultimately, the first day of the Jakarta meeting left a strong, positive impression on the participants. Everyone arrived at a unanimous conclusion: a massive and genuine green transformation in the Asia-Pacific region will remain a mere dream unless it is anchored by three interconnected pillars: deeply localized governance, radically inclusive partnerships, and a fair, uncompromising financial architecture.

Berkeli Atayev.