4th International Forum on Sustainable Future in Asia / 4th NIES International Forum

Abstract

PrefaceThe world is now gearing towards the realization of sustainable societies within the framework of international commitments including Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. In this regard, it is important to highlight the major steps taken by stakeholders including governments, the private sector, citizens, and NGOs in meeting the global commitments from global to local/city scale, especially those related to climate change, waste management, biodiversity, environmental health and risks, and the well-being of society in general. Based on this situation, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan (NIES) is undertaking a broad range of environmental research activities for realization of sustainable societies in an interdisciplinary and comprehensive manner in conjunction with leading research institutes globally and in particular with universities in Asia such as Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, The University of Tokyo; the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand; and Vietnam Japan University based at Hanoi. To disseminate the outcomes of the research activities based on the research collaboration and to bridge the gaps between science and policy, NIES initiated the Forum on Sustainable Future in Asia in collaboration with The University of Tokyo and the Asian Institute of Technology in 2016. The 4th International Forum on Sustainable Future in Asia was held on January 23 and 24, 2019, at Pan Pacific Hanoi, Vietnam.Asian countries are on the turning point to realize an economically viable and an environmentally sustainable region. However, the region is also prone to extreme weather and climatic conditions which undermine realization of the goals and targets set out through global commitments such as Paris Agreement and SDGs. Southeast Asia is not an exception and is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change and disasters. For example, the downstream areas of the Mekong river basin, such as China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia are facing various environmental problems such as the rise of sea levels and the threat of flooding. In addition, industrialization and urbanization, along with economic development, have led to sharp increase in energy consumption, waste production, other environmental challenges such as exposure to environmental contaminants causing human-health problems. The growing economies in Asia are also vulnerable to climate risks. To address climate change related problems, adaptive and mitigative measures are being considered with increased urgency as solutions. Asian region is also facilitating smarter growth of the economy and public welfare by responding to the challenges through scientific forecasting of global warming impacts.For maintaining richness of natural environment, and for sustainable development in the region, the conversation and collaboration between scientists, policy makers and other various stakeholders in this region is especially necessary and contributes to the sustainable future in Asia. The forum had introduced recent research findings regarding four key areas for the realization of sustainable societies in Asia: Solid Waste Management, Adaptation for Environmental Change, Improvement of Public Health, and Integrative Approach for Climate Change. The forum discussed new ways of building sustainable societies in Asia. Such discussions will further catalyze policy–research networking for formulating relevant science-based policies; and help find feasible paths toward sustainable societies in Asia by converting aspirations into actions at the local, national, and regional levels. The forum also aims to create the foundation for a consortium of relevant institutions and governments in the region through periodic gatherings of researchers and policy-makers, that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge gained through research and catalyze dialogue at the policy–research interface in the spheres of environmental management and sustainable development in Asia.List of logos are available in this pdf.