Community Action to Address Climate Change in the Pacific: Kiribati Experience

Community Action to Address Climate Change in the Pacific: Kiribati Experience - Mr. Robert Karoro, IVA Specialist and Research Analyst, Kiribati Climate Action Network
The Supreme Court of the Union, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) are pleased to host the Asia Pacific Judicial Conference on Environmental and Climate Change Adjudication in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Judiciaries across Asia and the Pacific uphold the rule of law in their countries. In an increasingly dynamic field of law such as environmental and climate change, people cling more to the courts in their pursuit of clarification amidst conflicting laws and even legal voids. The event aims to update the participants with knowledge about pressing environmental and climate change issues that require their urgent attention and solutions that they can readily adopt.
Inaugural Session
Facilitator: Ms. Irum Ahsan, Principal Counsel, Asian Development Bank
Traditional Ceremony
Welcome Remarks by the Supreme Court of the Union of Myanmar: Hon. Chief Justice Htun Htun Oo Supreme Court of the Union of Myanmar
Remarks from the Asian Development Bank: Mr. Christopher Stephens, General Counsel, ADB
Remarks from United Nations Environment Programme: Ms. Isabelle Louis, Deputy Regional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific, UN Environment
Group Photo
Tea Break
Session 1: Focus on Myanmar: Environmental and Climate Law Challenges
Facilitator: Hon. Judge Teris Samuel Ni Khoi, High Court of Chin State, Myanmar
Q&A
Session 2: Environment, Climate Change, and Human Rights
Facilitator: Mr. Andrew Raine, Head of the International Environmental Law Unit, Law Division, UN Environment
Q&A
Session 3: Urbanization and Environment
Facilitator: Mr. Gregorio Rafael P. Bueta, Legal and Policy Specialist (Consultant), ADB
Q&A
Welcome Dinner hosted by the Union Supreme Court of Myanmar
Coming Soon to a Court Near You: ADB’s Climate Change Litigation Benchbook
By Irum Ahsan, Principal Counsel, ADB
Session 4: Green Communities in Action: Inspiring Grassroots Stories
Facilitator: Ms. Maria Cecilia T. Sicangco, Knowledge Management Specialist (Consultant), ADB
Q&A
Session 5: Regional and Global Judicial Perspectives: Enhancing the Judges’ Role in the Age of Climate Change
Moderator: Mr. Christopher Stephens, General Counsel, ADB
This panel discussion brings together judges from different regions to discuss the increasingly important role of judges in the era of climate change. It is also envisioned as an opportunity where judges can share ideas, best practices, and avenues for inter-judicial and inter-regional cooperation
Southeast Asia
South Asia
The Pacific
The Americas
Session 6: Developments and Challenges in Green Litigation
Facilitator: Ms. Christina Pak, Senior Counsel, ADB
Q&A
Session 7: Climate Change Litigation Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
Moderator: Ms. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Executive Director, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)
This panel discussion intends to gather the views of various stakeholders involved in climate change litigation, especially with respect to challenges and best practices. The panel will discuss the international and domestic drivers of ‘climate suits’, and the effect, if any, of judgments in other jurisdictions. In addition, the panel will touch upon the global and regional landscape of climate change litigation, and if ideological and/or constitutional factors perpetuate a divide between litigation in the Global North as against the Global South.
Judiciary
Litigators
Academic
Closing Session
Facilitator: Ms. Irum Ahsan, Principal Counsel, ADB
Final Programme Agenda
Conference Booklet