Transformative Futures: Clim/Sust SE Asia 2023

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Conference organizers: Prof. Ron Holzhacker (University of Groningen),
Dr. Ann Wijitbusaba Marome (Thammasat University),
Prof. Bobi Setiawan (Gadjah Mada University).

We are interested in focusing attention on synergies in the implementation of the sustainable development and climate change agendas facing cities in Southeast Asia.

There are a set of ground-breaking international agreements and on-going processes in place for the world community to come together to address climate change and sustainable development. These include the Paris Climate Accords (UNFCCC), the on-going IPCC processes, the periodic UN Climate Change Conferences (COP27, Egypt 2022), as well as the agreements on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the periodic UN High-Level Political Forums (HLPF), and the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of the SDGs.

While we may begin with these international dialogues, agreements, and processes, here we turn attention toward implementation to make the necessary urgent, substantial progress on climate adaptation and sustainable development. The implementation of climate adaptation measures and sustainable development occurs in multi-level governance processes involving national, provincial and local governments in each State. These processes involve governments, public and private stakeholders, civil society organizations, and citizens. Shedding light on the intricate multi-level processes of implementation is crucial because ‘place specific context’ matters for the successful implementation of broad societal goals. We focus on the context of implementation of climate adaptation and sustainable development in Southeast Asia and ASEAN, with a broad range of societies, cultures, and levels of economic development, including rapidly growing Middle-Income Countries (MICs) with democratic traditions.

This conference brings together international scholars, PhD candidates, and political leaders and policy experts - who are primarily based in the Netherlands, Thailand and Indonesia. We do this to bridge senior and new generations of scholars, various regions of the world – Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as people with different key roles in society - scholars, leaders and practitioners.

This is a hybrid event. Speakers of the conference and the book project will meet on location, other guests are invited to participate online.

The conference is kindly hosted by Thammasat University, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, and the Faculty of Political Science, in Bangkok, Thailand.
For Gadjha Mada University, the conference is organized by the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architecture and Planning.
For the University of Groningen, the conference is organized by the Groningen Research Centre for Southeast Asia and ASEAN (SEA ASEAN) and the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, in cooperation with the Wubbo Ockels School of Energy and Climate, which supports inter-disciplinary research with broad societal impact.

Core Themes

1. Implementation, Planning and Governance Challenges
2. Climate Change and Sustainable Development Challenges
3. Political Perspectives on Implementation: Leadership and Building Public Support for Climate Response and Sustainability

Schedule Overview

• Tuesday, March 14, Day 1: Opening Remarks, Core theme I and II, Opening Reception (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration - BMA)
• Wednesday, March 15, Day 2: Core theme III and Political Roundtable, Festive conference dinner (Netherlands Embassy, Ambassador)
• Thursday, March 16, Day 3: Graduate Workshop, Festive Closing Dinner (Thammasat University)
• Friday, March 17 Day 4: Field Visit: Bangkok Water Issues, climate and sustainable development