Kunming, China – November 15-16, 2023

Under the theme of “Addressing Climate Change: Action and Mission,” the International Seminar on China-ASEAN Cooperation Fund (ACCF) supported Climate Change Cooperation was organized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (YASTI) and the ASEAN Secretariat. The event was hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the China-ASEAN Innovation Center.

The opening ceremony featured speeches from Mr. Zhang Jihong, Deputy Inspector of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology; Ms. Kanchana Wannikun, Director of the Sectoral Development Directorate of the ASEAN Economic Community at the ASEAN Secretariat, and Mr.Gu Junjie, Assistant Director/Programme Manager of the ACCF Management Team (AMT). The meeting was chaired by Ma Minxiang, Deputy Director/Secretary-General of the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology and Vice Director of the China-ASEAN Innovation Center.

More than 100 participants, including representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the ASEAN Secretariat, the ACCF Management Team, the ASEAN Energy Centre, the China 21st Century Agenda Management Centre, the National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, as well as leaders and experts from Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, and international organizations, attended the conference. The objective was to foster scientific and technological innovation and collaboration between China and ASEAN in addressing climate change, establishing a cooperative innovation platform.

As one of the only two Chinese provinces sharing borders with ASEAN countries, Yunnan plays a pivotal role in promoting economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, technological innovation, and ecological protection. The seminar highlighted Yunnan’s ongoing efforts in climate change response, large-scale development of new energy, and environmental protection. In 2020, Yunnan’s cumulative carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP decreased by 30.8%, and energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 14.56%. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, Yunnan witnessed rapid development in green energy, leading in four key indicators nationally.

Zhang Jihong, Deputy Inspector of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, emphasized Yunnan’s proactive actions in recent years in addressing climate change, large-scale development of new energy, and environmental protection. Collaborations with organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and the World Wildlife Fund have enabled research on afforestation carbon sinks, forest management carbon sinks, and the impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems and vegetation.

Gu Junjie, the Programme Manager of the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF) Management Team, provided a brief overview of ACCF’s history, work mechanisms, and collaborative efforts with stakeholders such as YASTI and the ASEAN Secretariat during the project appraisal and approval procedure. Mr. Gu expressed ACCF’s commitment to leveraging its effectiveness to actively promote exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN, in areas focus on climate change, sustainable development, green economy, and science & technological innovation etc. By doing so, ACCF aims to contribute to the further development of China-ASEAN relations.

The seminar featured presentations by regional and international experts on topics including national voluntary contributions to carbon emissions, energy policy planning, the causes of extreme drought, global responses to climate change, and mechanisms to promote climate innovation. In-depth discussions and exchanges were conducted by 15 experts on new and renewable energy, energy efficiency and storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. The focus was on technological innovation cooperation between China and ASEAN in addressing climate change, pooling intellectual resources, and collectively advancing regional sustainable development.

During the seminar, participants also had the opportunity to visit the Yunnan University Atmospheric Environment Observation Platform and the National Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment.

The seminar, funded by the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF), was jointly hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the ASEAN Secretariat.