Background

Southeast Asia requires major investments in clean energy and other climate smart infrastructure over the coming decades, both to meet increasing demand for power and to meet commitments in terms of reductions of greenhouse emissions. Countries in the region have set ambitious climate targets and made pledges toward net-zero carbon emissions for their economies.  The US and Australia governments work with Southeast Asian countries to support their efforts to meet low-carbon and resilient infrastructure needs through a variety of mechanisms and programs. These include the Climate Action Plan of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, Australia’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) in Southeast Asia, and the USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards program.

Objectives

This Session will highlight U.S. and Australia climate initiatives and programs supporting Southeast Asia. The discussion will include investment tools, financing mechanisms and support programs these organizations provide to governments, private sector projects developers and civil society to support the development of climate smart and sustainable infrastructure in the region. It will also highlight energy and infrastructure projects that have been developed in cooperation with country partners through these programs.

AGENDA

Time (Manila) Activities
2:00 - 2:05 p.m. Opening Remarks, USAID Regional Development Mission Asia
  • Dr. Steve Olive, Mission Director
2:05 - 2:10 p.m. Opening Remarks, Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
  • Ms. Julia Feeney, Chargé d'Affaires, Australian Embassy in Thailand
2:10 - 2:25 p.m. DFC’s Climate Action Strategy and Investments in Southeast Asia
  • Ms. Maria E. Goravanchi, Regional Managing Director, Lower Mekong, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
2:25 - 2:40 p.m. U.S. Trade and Development Agency Outlook on Climate Action and Facilitating Sustainable Growth in Southeast Asia
  • Mr. Sithisakdi Apichatthanapath, Deputy Regional Manager for Asia, United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
2:40 - 2:55 p.m. Australia’s Support to Southeast Asia’s Clean Energy Transition
  • Mr. Nam Le, Energy Adviser, Partnership for Infrastructure (P4I)
2:55 - 3:10 p.m. Social Safeguards in Climate Smart Infrastructure
  • Ms. Srijana Bhattarai, Senior Social Safeguards Advisor, USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards, The Asia Foundation
3:10 - 3:25 p.m. Q&A
  • Mr. Winston Chow, Chief of Party, USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards, The Asia Foundation (Moderator)
3:25 - 3:30 p.m. Closing Remark
  • Mr. Winston Chow, Chief of Party, USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards, The Asia Foundation

Speakers

Steven Olive

Steven Olive

Mission Director
USAID/RDMA
Julia Feeney

Julia Feeney

Charge d' Affaires a.i.
Australian Embassy
Maria Goravanchi

Maria Goravanchi

Regional Managing Director, Lower Mekong
U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Sithisakdi Apichatthanapath

Sithisakdi Apichatthanapath

Deputy Regional Manager for Asia
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Srijana Bhattarai

Srijana Bhattarai

Senior Social Safeguards Advisor
The Asia Foundation
Winston Chow

Winston Chow

Chief of Party, USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards Program
The Asia Foundation
Nam Le

Nam Le

Director
Infrastructure and Economics Advisory
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About the Organizers

USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID RDMA)  The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID’s work safeguards this mission and puts countries on a path to pursue clean energy growth and resilient, low-carbon development. Countries around the world are feeling the effects of climate change, from more intense heat waves, droughts, floods and storms to slower-moving changes like ocean acidification. USAID is sharing world-class knowledge, data and tools to ensure countries can predict, prepare for and adapt to change. USAID also helps countries lay the foundations for sustainable growth powered by clean energy and healthy landscapes. Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)  The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) promotes and protects Australia’s international interests to support our security and prosperity. We work with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. DFC invests across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights. United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) strategically facilitates export opportunities for U.S. companies and supports sustainable development in dynamic markets all around the world. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop climate-smart infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries. In 2021, every $1 USTDA invested in its programs generated $117 in U.S. exports. USTDA has facilitation more than $76 billion in U.S. exports since its founding in 1992, supporting over 4,000 infrastructure activities around the world. Partnership for Infrastructure (P4I) Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is the Australian Government’s flagship infrastructure initiative for Southeast Asia. It partners with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to foster inclusive growth through sustainable economic infrastructure (i.e. transport, energy, telecommunications, and utilities). P4I delivers flexible, innovative and tailored services through a single cohesive team, led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in collaboration with EY, Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation and Ninti One. USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards The USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards Program is a five-year (2018–2023) program that supports policymakers, government regulators, major financiers, developers, contractors, and communities with technical assistance, knowledge, and tools to foster consistent application of strengthened environmental and social governance standards, particularly for the energy, transport, and water sectors. Implemented by The Asia Foundation, the Program helps operationalize the vision of sustainable infrastructure development that Mekong subregion countries have put forward in their respective national green-growth strategies and regional platforms.

Point of Contact

Winston Chow USAID and Australia Mekong Safeguards, The Asia Foundation Email