Johor Bahru, Malaysia – Publish What You Pay (PWYP Indonesia), as one part of civil society concerned about improving governance in the energy and natural resources sector, participated at the Asia Pacific Climate Week (APCW) 2023 on 13-17 November 2023 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This is the fourth official event in a series of Regional Climate Weeks this year and the last major meeting of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) before COP28. APCW 2023 is organized by the Johor State Government in collaboration with the Malaysian government and UN Climate Change, as well as collaborating with a number of international development agencies such as the UN Development Programme, UN Environment Programme, World Bank.
APCW 2023 brought together stakeholders, experts, policymakers from local and national governments, civil society organizations, youth, indigenous peoples and the private sector from across the region to offer solutions and innovations, and to foster increased cooperation across borders and sectors in addressing pressing climate challenges. The Asia-Pacific region is already grappling with a range of climate-related challenges, from rising sea levels and extreme weather events to threats to its biodiversity and freshwater resources. As climate change intensifies, the need for strong and inclusive climate action is becoming increasingly apparent.
APCW 2023 discussed various issues grouped into four thematic tracks, namely Energy systems and industry; Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport; Land, ocean, food and water; and Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies. The forum is expected to be used as an opportunity to join forces and explore solutions towards a sustainable future for the region ahead of COP28.
At the APCW 2023, PWYP Indonesia, represented by the National Coordinator, Aryanto Nugroho, took an active role in participating in discussions in a number of interactive programs diantaranya, Opening Ceremony of Asia Pacific Climate Week 2023; High Level Dialogue on Just Energy Transition in the Asia Pacific Region: Advancing Inclusivity for Just and Equitable Energy Transitions; Global Stocktake Regional Dialogue: Enhancing Climate Action and Support; Leveraging Carbon Markets for Energy Transition in Emerging Economies; Translating long-term strategies and NDCs into action for energy and a just transition in the Asia-Pacific region; Championing a Feminist Perspective in the Just Energy Transition in Asia; Critical Minerals for a Just Clean Energy Transition in Asia Pacific; etc.
PWYP Indonesia together with a number of civil society organizations (CSOs) from Indonesia who attended APCW 2003 conducted a campaign to urge all parties in the world to stop “false solutions” and act more now in the face of climate change. In this momentum, PWYP Indonesia also published the Policy Paper on Mainstreaming Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in the Just Energy Transition in Indonesia.
APCW 2023 is also a consolidation momentum for PWYP networks in Asia Pacific, such as PWYP Indonesia, PWYP Australia, Bantay Kita (PWYP Philippines), and the Mineral Inheritors Rights Association (MIRA/PWYP India) present in Johor Bahru. In particular, PWYP’s network in Asia Pacific introduced the Asia Pacific Mineral Transition Accountability Working Groups (APMTA-WG) which urged that the impact of Energy Transition in the Mineral Sector should be a global concern.
Author: Aryanto Nugroho