Taking the role at the Launching of the National Adaptation Planning Report by RWI and SEI Research

RDI was pleased to take part in the launching of the Human Rights in the Process of National Adaptation Planning (NAP) Report. The event was conducted by The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI)  &  Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) The RWI and the SEI discussed how countries are doing in the research report entitled: ‘Human Rights in the Process of National Adaptation Planning’. This report assesses the extent to which existing national adaptation plans have integrated human rights principles and approaches in their planning and implementation in order to understand the gaps, and identify best practices, in making adaptation fairer and more equitable. It also discussed entry points to ensure that human rights principles are a meaningful part of the planning process.

This session was opened by Jason Squire as Director of RWI's Regional Asia Pacific Office and moderated by Windi Arini as Programme Officer Inclusive Societis in RWI.  The presentation was started by Victor Bernard from RWI, regarding the Setting the scene: Human Rights &  Climate Change Adaptation. Next, Albert Salamanca from SEI Research discussed Human Rights & the Process of National Adaptation Planning Reports. Other than that, we also have discussants, namely Mr. Arif Wibowo (Expert Policy Analyst, Ministry of Environment & Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia), Dr. Vivi Yulaswati (Expert Staff of the Minister of National Development Planning for Social Affairs & Poverty Reduction), Dr. Vong Sok (Assistant Director and Head of the Environment Division ASEAN Secretariat), Dr. Saut Sagala (Senior Research Fellows at the Resilience Development Initiative), and Albert Salamanca (SEI Research).

There were several highlights from Dr. Saut Sagala during the event, which were different translations of human rights in the NAP (freedom, equality, life, etc), therefore it should consider problems in the different definitions for each country. Different priorities as well as existing human rights problems in each country also play a part so it is important to address NAP based on the characteristics of each country. Then, there is a need for further research needs on the causes and processes of NAP. Also, it is essential to emphasize successful inclusive community-driven solutions to increase resilience & solve disaster displacement. And last but not least, it is crucial to ensure assistance, consultations & capacity building to accommodate policy makers and planners in translating human rights systematically into NAP.