Preparing for COP30: Asia Pacific drives action towards climate targets

Bangkok, Thailand (5-7 March 2025) – Bringing together government officials and representatives from nearly 20 countries, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and IRRI hosted a workshop on “Advancing Climate Ambition in the Agrifood Sector: Workshop on NDC 3.0 and COP30 Preparation in Asia-Pacific”. The event provided a platform for countries to exchange knowledge, refine strategies, and drive momentum toward the timely submission of enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and prepare for the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil.

The significance of the advocacy was emphasized by Robert Simpson, Deputy Regional Representative of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, stating, “By speaking with one voice, we can advocate more effectively for the resources, technology transfer, and capacity-building needed to implement our NDCs and climate ambitions.” He also reiterated the pivotal role of agrifood systems in regional climate objectives, noting their dual nature as “a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change.”

Dr. Jongsoo Shin, IRRI’s Regional Director for Asia, highlighted the essential role of science in meeting climate goals, arguing that while “at COP29, many spoke about policy, but few mentioned the value of science.” He stressed the practical application of research, stating, “We are not doing research for research’s sake—we are doing research to create real solutions for farmers.” Furthermore, he asserted that “the value of science is in providing farmers with tools for sustainable income—not just theory, but action,” emphasizing the need for data-driven, real-time information to aid farmers in adapting to climate-related challenges.

IRRI’s GHG emission calculation and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) tools were highlighted…