Scene Setter for Coastal Resilience

Coastal Resilience. Massive investment at scale is needed in both nature and transformational adaptation to build the resilience of Asia and the Pacific’s critical coastal and marine ecosystems, communities, cities, and island nations to climate and disaster-related shocks and stresses. Nature-based solutions such as the protection and restoration of coral reefs, mangrove forests, wetlands, and sandy beaches, enhance ecosystem resilience and the protection of coastal cities and communities while providing multiple economic, societal, and climate mitigation co-benefits.

Scene Setter for Plastic-free Oceans

Plastic waste and pollution are urgent issues for Asia and the Pacific and the health of its ecosystems and communities. Over 80% of all marine plastic pollution comes from Asia, while Pacific island countries are exposed to ocean currents that accumulate large volumes of marine litter that eventually washes up on their shores. Countries are developing strategies to reduce plastic pollution by addressing waste mismanagement, reducing marine debris, and enabling a transition to a circular plastics economy.

Kirsteen Mack

Kirsteen Mack is a Procurement Specialist at the Asian Development Bank. She handles Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka’s energy projects. Prior to ADB, she was a Procurement Project Manager at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in the Philippines, has also served at the UNOPS’ offices in Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Denmark in various capacities. 

ADB's Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS 2022): Sustainable Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Recovery

Highlights

The pandemic has had a deep and profound impact throughout Southeast Asia. Many of the region’s hard-won gains in reducing poverty, creating jobs, and enhancing health and well-being have been reversed, with the poor and vulnerable particularly hard-hit.