Governments, Philanthropy, Businesses, Civil Society, Community Organizations, and Youth Leaders Come Together for the First-Ever Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum

Forum hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs provided an inclusive dialogue to accelerate people-centered climate solutions

Jakarta, Indonesia – Today, leaders across Southeast Asia came together at the first-ever Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum to discuss ways to accelerate Southeast Asia’s transition to a clean, prosperous, and healthy future. Co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum 2024 pre-event brought together more than 200 representatives from national governments, businesses, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and global and regional climate foundations to foster collaborative action, ignite innovative solutions, and highlight people-centered climate solutions.

In partnership with the Asia Philanthropy Circle, Clean Air Asia, ClimateWorks Foundation, International Energy Agency, Rare, Tara Climate Foundation, and ViriyaENB, the day featured high-level sessions and discussions centered on three significant climate issues facing the region: the clean energy transition, clean air, and ocean conservation.

As Southeast Asia faces significant economic development and environmental sustainability challenges, the Forum aimed to foster meaningful and robust collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and climate philanthropy leaders from the region and around the world to help identify and address challenges and opportunities related to climate change. Discussions highlighted key actions, successes, and insights on climate solutions originating from Southeast Asia and identified areas for collaboration to further empower local communities, ensure a just transition, and accelerate progress on Southeast Asia’s climate goals.

The Forum opened with remarks from H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Government of Indonesia, and Ailun Yang, who leads global energy transition initiatives at Bloomberg Philanthropies, followed by a keynote address from Selwin Hart, the United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, who spoke about climate actions, economic opportunity, and a just and equitable transition for Southeast Asia.

“The future of our planet is now often painted with a grim outlook due to the adverse impact of the climate crisis. Nonetheless, we still have a golden chance to debunk that forecast, by forging collaboration in sustainability across Southeast Asia’s public and private sectors, particularly with climate philanthropy leaders. Indonesia is more than ready to be at the forefront of this collaborative effort because we are well-placed with rich resources for renewable energy to meet the global target on sustainability,” said H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Government of Indonesia.

“The urgency of climate action cannot be overstated, especially for a region as dynamic and vulnerable as Southeast Asia,” said Selwin Hart, United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition. “The challenges and barriers faced by the region in accelerating the pace of the clean energy transition are well-known: creating the enabling policy and regulatory environments, as well as access to affordable finance and investments. But so are the opportunities of leading the energy transition and building climate-resilient societies and economies: new and decent jobs, clean air, and energy security and sovereignty. This innovative forum provides a vital platform for strengthening collaboration and cooperation between governments and non-state actors. A just energy transition is not just an ideal but a necessity, and I am encouraged by the commitment shown here today to make it a reality.”

“Today’s forum is a testament to the collective will and determination of Southeast Asia to tackle climate change head-on and Bloomberg Philanthropies is proud to support these efforts,” said Ailun Yang, who leads global energy transition initiatives at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “By bringing together diverse stakeholders—from governments and businesses to civil society and philanthropy—we are not just fostering collaboration but sparking innovation to develop sustainable, community-focused climate solutions.”

At a session focused on Southeast Asian climate actions around the energy transition, clean air, and ocean conservation, Ambassador Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, said, “Climate solutions must be channeled through a people-centered approach, from driving clean energy transitions to ensuring clean air and conserving our ocean. To truly honor our Global Biodiversity Framework, we must move beyond preservation to focus on restoration and human well-being. Our planet’s health is non-negotiable. Reversing the decline demands large-scale restoration—of mangroves, seagrasses, fish stocks, and water quality—with true success measured by the improved lives of coastal communities.”

Also participating in the session was Helen Mountford, President and CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, where she spoke about the key role of philanthropy in the global energy transition. Mountford said, “Southeast Asia has immense potential to be a global leader in clean energy solutions, driving new economic opportunities for communities while significantly improving air quality across the region. With numerous countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, charting bold paths for a low-carbon future, philanthropy has a critical role to play in helping to catalyze the needed investments and support people-centered strategies that can deliver healthier, more resilient communities and reduce emissions.”

A panel about people-centered, people-driven climate transition and economic growth in Southeast Asia featured Shinta Kamdani, Coordinating Vice Chairwoman for Maritime, Investment and Foreign Affairs of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Noni Sri Aryati Purnomo, Entrepreneur, and President of the Board of Commissioners of BlueBird Group, and Lin Yang, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) with Helen Mountford and Ambassador Peter Thomson. Participants highlighted the many types of green jobs  emerging from the climate transition in Southeast Asia. The panel also discussed the investment needed to develop the climate workforce, foster talent development, and motivate entrepreneurship, while governments and local communities partner to develop reskilling programs in areas that will be most impacted by the climate transition.

The Forum also featured speakers discussing prioritizing people in climate solutions that benefit communities. A panel on the topic featured Rachmat Kaimuddin, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transportation at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Government of Indonesia, Jane Cohen, International Energy Agency (IEA); Kathlyn Tan, Director of Rumah Foundation; Glynda Bathan-Baterina, Deputy Executive Director, Clean Air Asia; Jitsai Santapura, Co-Founder, Youth for Energy Southeast Asia, and Shirish Sinha, Executive Director of Programmes, Clean Air Fund. The discussion explored lessons in clean energy, clean air, and ocean protection from across Southeast Asia demonstrating how centering benefits on health and livelihoods is crucial for success. Panelists also highlighted the role of philanthropy in forging innovative partnerships that center communities from the start.

Breakout sessions fostered discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration around the clean energy transition, air quality, and ocean conservation. Key conversations and speakers highlighted:

• The importance of a people-centered clean energy transition: Participants discussed how transitioning to clean energy with a people-centered approach will be key to delivering broader economic goals and ensuring all segments of society are included in the process and reap the benefits. “As our energy systems undergo significant structural transformations to move towards clean energy, policymakers must prioritize universal energy access and broad participation in the clean energy economy. Clean energy policies that are designed with fairness and affordability as key objectives will ensure that all of society can reap the health, wellness, and economic benefits of clean energy transitions and will bring about broad public support in this time of transitions,” said Jane Cohen, of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Jamie Choi, CEO, Tara Climate Foundation also joined the event and said, “The clean energy transition is inevitable, but whether it prioritizes people and protects Southeast Asia’s most vulnerable is up to us. We have a unique chance to get it right – by harnessing our collective power, we can create decent jobs, support workers and communities transitioning from fossil fuels, ensure 100% clean energy access, and deliver a win-win for both people and the planet.”
• Inclusivity in tackling air pollution in Southeast Asia: Participants shared their experience creating people-centered solutions to tackle air pollution in the region, discussed the remaining challenges, and explored further opportunities to enhance inclusivity in national and regional programs on air pollution. Glynda Bathan-Baterina, Deputy Executive Director, Clean Air Asia, said, “Our sense of urgency to achieve clean air in Southeast Asia is driven by our strong desire to protect people’s health. Air pollution poses great risks to human health and some sectors in society are more vulnerable to its impacts. We must include them in our conversations and give priority to their needs, so no one is left behind.” Also speaking on the importance of clean air efforts, Suzanty Sitorus, Executive Director, ViriyaENB, an Indonesian climate foundation focusing on a net-zero society underpinned by an equitable and regenerative economy, said, “Indonesia has the largest area, population, and emissions within Southeast Asia. As the first-ever climate foundation in Indonesia, we provide a platform for philanthropies and partners working at the intersection of energy-related sectors—including power, transportation, industry, and buildings. Our goal is to help achieve the country’s net-zero emissions by midcentury while ensuring an equitable and regenerative economy. Indonesia’s efforts are key to supporting the climate goals of Southeast Asia.”
• Accelerating 30 X 30 marine protection and boosting economic prosperity for the community: Participants shared success stories from coastal communities, and discussed the challenges and opportunities for scaling local solutions for ocean conservation in Southeast Asia. “The effects of climate change are already upon us, and the ocean is essential in our fight to ensure a livable future. With less than four percent of Southeast Asia’s seas under formal protection, governments, local communities, businesses, nonprofits, philanthropy, youth and other civil society organizations all have unique and vital roles to play in truly collaborating to accelerate and scale equitable action for the ocean,” said Kathlyn Tan, Director, Rumah Foundation, an Asia Philanthropy Circle member. Rocky Sanchez Tirona, Managing Director of Rare’s Fish Forever program, said, “To meet the biodiversity goals of 30×30, we need to prioritize areas that are of greatest value to people and nature. Empowering local communities with rights and resources to sustainably manage their fisheries is a proven strategy for safeguarding nature, while ensuring food security, supporting livelihoods, and building climate resilience.”

The event concluded with a convergence of insights and actions to take on clean energy, clean air and ocean protection. Throughout the many discussions, one key throughline was philanthropy’s role in developing blueprints for people-centered, people-driven climate action – and championing and scaling solutions that deliver for communities.

Rachmat Kaimuddin, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transportation at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Government of Indonesia, said, “We are now in a make-or-break moment because every little step can lead to a setback or progress in addressing the climate crisis. Therefore we need  an ‘all hands on deck’ approach, where policymakers, civil society groups, businesses and the climate philanthropy leaders’ unite in collaboration to promote sustainability. I welcome the Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum in providing the necessary platform for global philanthropy leaders to forge ahead with climate action.”

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.

Media Contact:
Marshall Cohen
mcohen@bloomberg.org

About Indonesia International Sustainability Forum:
The Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2024 is Indonesia’s flagship sustainability forum hosted by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), with support from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia). Launched in 2023, ISF serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among stakeholders committed to decarbonization, driving global efforts toward sustainable growth. With over 5,000 attendees expected, ISF 2024 will be the largest sustainability event in the Asia-Pacific region, following COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Media Contacts:
Yanelis Prasenja, Communication Bureau
Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia
Humas@maritim.go.id | +6281317986813

Steven Polhaupesy, Communication Manager
Kadin Indonesia Secretariat
steven.yohanes@kadin.id