UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy in Asia and the Pacific 2025

Overview

● Programme Title: UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy in Asia and the Pacific 2025 

● Date: 25-29 August 2025 (Five-Day Event) 

● Venue: UNITAR CIFAL Jeju, Republic of Korea

● Host: Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea (MoE Korea)

● Partners: Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its RCC Asia and the Pacific; Korea Environment Institute – Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change (KEI KACCC); United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) CIFAL Jeju / Jeju International Training Center (JITC); UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP CCC)

●Theme:Climate Transparency and Adaptation Action: Building capacity on adaptation reporting through BTR1 Experiences - Analyzing Best Practices and Strategies for BTR

●Target Audience: Government officials, practitioners, and experts from Asia and the Pacific involved in climate change adaptation and reporting under the UNFCCC 

Background

The Climate Action and Support Transparency Training (CASTT) Adaptation Academy, launched in 2021 by the UNFCCC secretariat in collaboration with five research and educational institutions, is a pioneering initiative focused on enhancing the ability of developing countries to conduct vulnerability and adaptation assessments, and improve their adaptation reporting under the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). The Academy's primary goal is to enable a systematic, generational step-change in capacity to meet the ambitions of the Paris Agreement, including to strengthen the technical capacity of developing countries in conducting adaptation assessments, formulating plans and policy frameworks, and improving cross-ministerial coordination to address climate change effectively.

As the first round of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) was due by the end of 2024, there is now a critical need to reflect on the experiences with BTR preparation and submission process, including identify best practices and lessons learned, remaining challenges, as well as develop strategies for improving reporting processes in the future. In this context, the UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy 2025 has been designed as an advanced course to share experiences from the first BTR submissions, analyze exemplary cases, and provide in-depth knowledge and skills for future report preparation.

The Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, with the support of the UNFCCC secretariat, will organize a five-day international Adaptation Academy from 25 to 29 August 2025 at UNITAR CIFAL Jeju, Republic of Korea. The event is co-organized by the Korea Environment Institute (KEI)-Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change (KACCC), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) CIFAL Jeju / Jeju International Training Center (JITC), the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP CCC), and the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) Asia and the Pacific.

The program expects to welcome approximately 25 participants from across Asia and the Pacific, focusing on sharing experiences from countries that have either already submitted their first BTRs and building capacity for those who are still in the process. To ensure broad participation, all expenses, including airfare, accommodation, and incidentals, will be offered to selected participants from developing countries in the Asia and the Pacific region.

Building on the successful experience of the 2024 Academy, the 2025 program will address new challenges and opportunities that have emerged during the preparation and after the first BTR submissions, supporting participants in developing more effective and sustainable adaptation reporting frameworks and institutional arrangements.

Objectives:

The training aims to achieve the following objectives:

- Improve understanding of Climate Change and Adaptation with a special focus on identifying major climate risks and systematically reviewing available adaptation options and response measures

- Introduce various UNFCCC reporting frameworks, including National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and explore strategies to strengthen synergies between them to reduce reporting burden

- Deepen understanding of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and strengthen their linkages with adaptation reporting

- Enhance technical knowledge and practical skills of participants in preparing and developing their BTRs

- Analyze adaptation chapters from submitted first BTRs to identify best practices, lessons learned and areas for improvement

- Facilitate peer learning through sharing experiences and lessons learned from the first BTR submission process

Expected Outputs and Outcomes:

- Improved understanding of climate change adaptation and key climate risks

- Enhanced clarity on UNFCCC reporting frameworks for adaptation, including NAPs and NDCs,

- Strengthened knowledge of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and its relevance to adaptation reporting

- Increased technical capacity and practical skills for developing adaptation chapters in BTR

- Analysis report on adaptation chapters from submitted first BTRs and compilation of best practices, lessons learned and remaining challenges

- Development of country-specific strategies and action plans for efficient adaptation reporting

- Strategic approaches to integrate and align various reporting frameworks to reduce reporting burden

- Strengthened adaptation reporting network among Asian countries and established framework for continuous knowledge sharing

Link for Registration: https://walla.my/v/dvzQIlBty0VGWSmypIOk

Registration Deadline: 3 August

2025 Application Form Template Download:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10p6YZyvmqbp20R-nDUWUxsavTIZgrzYzKon7M9Q1Ryc/edit?usp=sharing
https://bit.ly/2025asiaunfcccacademyapplytemplate

※Kindly note that applications will be considered in the order received, contingent upon the fulfillment of eligibility requirements, alignment with the objectives of the academy, and subject to the final discretion of the organizers.

※ Note: Chinese participants who experience difficulties accessing the application web page are kindly requested to send the completed application form and requested documents to cifaljeju.jitc.env@gmail.comby 27 July 2025 (1st round application due date).

※ For general information, please contact:

Ms. Soobin CHOI, Young Professional

UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC

227-24, Jungmungwangwang-ro,

Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do,

Republic of Korea

Phone: +82-64-735-6572

Fax: +82-64-738-4626

Email: cifaljeju.jitc.env@gmail.com

Ms. Hyunju (Grace) LEE, Program Officer

UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC

227-24, Jungmungwangwang-ro,

Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do,

Republic of Korea

Phone: +82-64-735-6581 

Fax: +82-64-738-4626