Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) convened its regional conference in Colombo on 15 and 16th October 2025, under the theme “Towards a Just, Resilient, and Sustainable Future: Building South Asian Positions on Loss and Damage, Adaptation, Climate Finance, and Urban Climate Resilience.”
The two-day event brought together member organizations from across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan to collectively shape South Asia’s position ahead of COP30 and strengthen regional collaboration on pressing climate priorities. Hosted in partnership with Janathakshan GTE Ltd., the gathering underscored the urgency of unified regional action in the face of worsening climate impacts.
Dr. Janaka Hemathilaka, CEO/Executive Director of Janathakshan, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to actively contribute to shaping a strong, people-centered South Asian climate agenda. Setting the tone, Dr. Sanjay Vashist, Director of CANSA, emphasized the growing geopolitical and environmental challenges affecting the region, from energy insecurity and global conflicts to record-breaking heatwaves and floods that are reshaping livelihoods and economies.
Throughout the sessions, participants explored ways to strengthen cooperation across South Asia, reaffirming that regional solidarity and civil society leadership remain vital even as political tensions hinder intergovernmental coordination. The discussions focused on four critical areas, Loss and Damage, Adaptation, Climate Finance, and Urban Resilience, highlighting shared experiences and opportunities for collective advocacy.
Presentations and panel discussions examined the region’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), identifying key progress and persistent challenges in inclusivity, implementation, and finance. The inclusion of Loss and Damage as a distinct priority in Sri Lanka’s NDC was recognized as a significant milestone. Civil society leaders reiterated that loss and damage must be treated as an issue of justice and survival, not merely finance, calling for transparent, grant-based funding accessible to vulnerable communities.
The conference also spotlighted the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), urging countries to embed people-centered approaches, measurable indicators, and equitable access to adaptation finance. Experts from across the region showcased case studies from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India, linking renewable energy, food systems, and urban adaptation as interconnected pathways for resilience.
Sessions on climate finance revealed deep inequities in global and regional flows, with less than 3% of adaptation finance reaching communities. Participants advocated for community-managed, gender-responsive financing mechanisms and stronger South–South collaboration to ensure justice and accountability in climate investments.
On urban resilience, experts emphasized that cities must become frontlines of climate action, integrating inclusivity, culture, and people-centered planning alongside infrastructure and technology. Models such as the Kolkata Climate Action Plan and Sri Lanka’s circular economy initiatives were presented as replicable approaches for other South Asian cities.
The meeting concluded with a call to action for South Asian civil society to build a unified voice at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The key outcomes emphasized:
Strengthening regional collaboration and shared advocacy for climate justice.
Ensuring equitable access to finance for communities and marginalized groups.
Embedding people-centered adaptation and loss-and-damage mechanisms in national policies.
Advancing inclusive, rights-based urban resilience planning.
As South Asia faces increasing climate risks, the CANSA Regional Conference reaffirmed the region’s commitment to collective action, bridging borders, amplifying voices, and advancing a just transition toward a sustainable and resilient future.
