The ASEAN People’s Forum (APF) called on powerful and developed countries to provide financial support for the world effort against climate change at one of several workshops at the second APF working day in Hanoi on September 25.
The call was made in fear of Asia’s gloomy prospect for the environment and warnings that it would be a hotspot of natural disasters.
The continent is predicted to suffer some 40 percent of the world’s natural calamities and 60 percent of the damages caused by climate change.
The participants echoed the result of the previous forum in Thailand in 2009, calling for the establishment of an ASEAN pillar on environmental consultancy and a taskforce on the environment to conduct research and consider initiatives and solutions to cope with climate change in ASEAN member countries.
They asked member governments to look for financial sources to support environmental activities, reduce natural disaster and adapt to climate change in the region.
Another workshop dealt with exercising the rights of children and acting towards a caring, sharing and sustainable ASEAN.
It was reported at the event that ASEAN members have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and established an ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).
However, children in the region are facing significant problems such as child trafficking, child labour abuse, illiteracy, poor life quality and diseases.
To address these problems, the participants entered into a hot debate on the challenges of working for child protection and measures to facilitate ties among relevant non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) and their relations with ASEAN member governments and the ACWC.
Farmers, agriculture and rural development were a major topic at another workshop where ASEAN people made several recommendations for sustainable agricultural growth. They called for more investment and application of scientific and technical advances and measures to protect the benefits of farmers, especially the poor.
Natural resources, energy and water were also major concerns as participants at another workshop acknowledged that their countries have not yet fully tapped rich natural resources for national development.
They reached a consensus that natural resources are a national asset and the people have a right to be informed of where they are located and how they are used.
Participants also raised concerns about the side-effects of development which has damaged the environment and means of incomes, led to climate change, and caused the disappearance of biodiversity which can not be revived.
Representatives also spoke frankly about human rights and democracy at another workshop, discussing measures to boost regional cooperation in protecting human rights and promoting democracy in line with the ASEAN Charter.
Poverty reduction and social security are always topics of top concern at any ASEAN forum and the APF was no exception. The people called for stronger regional cooperation, and establishing financial mechanisms in member countries and the region as a whole.
Such a mechanism is necessary to alleviate poverty and ensure social security for the entire ASEAN community, they said.
ASEAN delegates gave recommendations on ensuring the benefits of labourers, including developing and harmonising labour measures and polices in ASEAN countries and measures to support migrant workers.
At a workshop focusing on challenges faced by regional fishermen, delegates from ASEAN farmer organisations, seafood associations and fishermen’s alliances shared experiences in coping with emerging challenges for fishermen in Southeast Asia at both national and regional levels.
They called for promoting dialogues and cooperation to reach a consensus among nations, ensuring development of sustainable fisheries, improving living conditions and equal, humanitarian treatment for fishermen.
Regarding international financial systems and development finance, delegates discussed the impacts of the global financial crisis and the resilience of ASEAN governments. They proposed recommendations on policies and actions to respond to challenges that the regional bloc is facing, as well as financial initiatives for education.
At a workshop relating to ethnic minority groups and indigenous people in ASEAN countries, the participants said it is necessary to respect the fundamental rights of ethnic minority people, improve their living conditions, increase access to education and basic services such as health care and transport, and protect them in all aspects to ensure their participation in policy and decision-making.
Delegates also took part in other workshops on issues relating to youth, the disabled, connectivity for a healthy future, refugees, and the role of women.
