Event Summary

The Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) Asia and the Pacific partnered with the ASEAN Centre for Energy to deliver the first episode of the ASEAN Researchers Network on Energy and Climate Change (ARNECC) Live Podcast 2025 series, focusing on “NDC 101 – A UNFCCC Perspective.”

Held on 26 June 2025, the event explored how Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) function as the backbone of ASEAN’s pathway to a net-zero future. Participants joined a live discussion designed to build understanding of the NDC process, share experiences across Southeast Asia, and highlight opportunities for regional collaboration.

The event forms part of the ASEAN Researchers Network on Energy and Climate Change (ARNECC), under the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) II, which seeks to advance knowledge-sharing and support evidence-based policymaking across the energy-climate nexus.

About the Session

This first episode of the ARNECC Live Podcast brought together UNFCCC experts and ASEAN stakeholders for an interactive conversation on:

• The basics of the NDC framework.

• Regional updates on NDC preparation and submission.

• Key challenges and opportunities for ASEAN Member States.

• How the UNFCCC supports countries in making their NDCs more ambitious and implementable.

The podcast aimed to strengthen understanding of the NDC process in the Southeast Asian context and encourage greater ambition, equity, and accountability in the run-up to the 2025 NDC submission cycle.

The live discussion also provided an opportunity for academics, researchers, analysts, students, and policymakers to share views and ask questions directly to UNFCCC experts.

Speakers

• Julie Amoroso Garbin – Regional Lead, UNFCCC RCC Asia and the Pacific

• Juhi Bansal – NDC and LT-LEDS Specialist, UNFCCC RCC Asia and the Pacific

Key Topics Covered

• Introduction to NDCs and the UNFCCC’s role

• Current status and progress of NDCs in Southeast Asia.

• Common barriers and gaps in NDC implementation.

• Opportunities for enhanced regional collaboration.

• UNFCCC’s technical and procedural support for countries.

• Ensuring transparency and accountability in NDC submission.