This session discussed the complex interplay between climate change, conflict, crisis, and social development in the Asia and Pacific region, with a focus on the vulnerabilities faced by women and other marginalized populations, including LGBTI communities.

In his opening remarks, Benjamin Graham noted that climate change affects the poor and worsens conflict and adverse social impacts. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires innovative approaches.

In his presentation, Anthony Ware pointed out that development institutions often rely on consultants to assess conflict situations while best practice would be to make sure that the voices of marginalized minorities including youth, women, and LGBTQ are heard. To address the needs of the affected actors, their participation in all stages of project implementation is necessary, from the needs assessment to the development of solutions and to the actual delivery of the intervention.

In her presentation, Ana Maria Locsin highlighted the need to empower girls at the community level through education, creating opportunities, and valuing girls’ contributions. School curricula should include climate resilience and conflict resolution topics. She called for gender-sensitive disaster preparedness and response and empowerment of the youth.

Emily Dwyer highlighted the discrimination experienced by the LGBTQIA+ communities and challenged everyone to consider what we can do together to help. She called for a rights-based approach and noted with thanks that ADB’s proposed Environment and Social Framework (ESF) mentions the LGBTQI sector. As the ESF’s implementation remains to be seen, she inquired about ADB's internal capability in this area and what ADB could aspire to in terms of LGBTQ inclusion. Questions raised the possibility of using conditionality in aid programs to promote policy reforms and it was noted that conditionality rarely works where it is needed most – e.g., in Myanmar.

In his remarks, ADB’s Benjamin Graham noted that climate change intersects with social development, conflict, and across multiple impacts. ADB plans to spend an ambitious $100 billion on climate financing between 2019 and 2030. Beyond resources, it is working to be inclusive in its efforts and to leave no one behind. He closed by citing that ADB strives to work with different partners and approaches to ensure that this interplay is well-managed and effectively considered. 

Content originally published at https://www.adb.org/annual-meeting/2024/events/interconnected-challenges