UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy in Asia and the Pacific 2025
Climate Transparency and Adaptation Action: Building capacity on adaptation reporting through BTR1 Experiences
25-29 August 2025, UNITAR CIFAL Jeju, Republic of Korea
Note: Scholarship applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis. Early submission is highly recommended to secure funding.
The UNFCCC-Climate Action and Support Transparency Training (CASTT) Adaptation Academy in Asia and the Pacific 2025 is now accepting applications for the five-day international training programme on the adaptation reporting aspects of the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris Agreement.
It aims to enhance technical capacity for adaptation assessments, planning, policy frameworks, and coordination across ministries and governance levels to act on climate change. With the first round of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) submitted by the end of 2024, this training will help analyze experiences from BTR1 submissions, identify best practices and lessons learned, and develop strategies for improving future adaptation reporting processes.
This training is hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, with support of the UNFCCC secretariat, co-organised 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), UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP CCC), and the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) Asia and the Pacific.
The CASTT Adaptation Academy was launched by the UNFCCC secretariat in collaboration with research and educational institutions in 2021.
Limited sponsorship is available for selected participants from developing countries in the Asia and the Pacific region. Among qualified applicants, financial support will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application submission is strongly encouraged to maximize funding opportunities.
UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy in Asia: Empowering Climate Adaptation Reporting Across the Region
The UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy in Asia, held from 30 September to 4 October 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, marked a significant milestone in building the capacity of national experts and stakeholder to meet their climate reporting obligations under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). Co-organized by the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change (KACCC), the Asian Institute for Technology (AIT), UNEP and UNDP, as well as the RCC Bangkok and UNFCCC Secretariat, the Academy brought together more than 20 participants from across Asia to enhance their understanding of reporting on climate change impacts and adaptation, and enhance their skills and technical knowledge in preparing the first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).
Driving Climate Transparency
Focused on the theme “Climate Transparency and Adaptation Action: Preparing BTRs under the ETF and Assessing Adaptation,” the Academy provided participants with comprehensive technical knowledge through hands-on sessions, interactive exercises, and country-specific case studies. As the deadline for the first BTR submission approaches in December 2024, the Academy played a crucial role in helping countries prepare high-quality reports that reflect their national circumstances and adaptation priorities.
Paul Desanker, Manager of the UNFCCC’s Adaptation Division, emphasized in his opening remarks that “this Academy represents a vital step in ensuring that adaptation reporting aligns with global climate goals while recognizing the unique challenges faced by developing countries.”
As countries in the Asia region move closer to the 2024 BTR submission deadline, the outcomes of this Academy will play a pivotal role in shaping their adaptation reporting strategies. With the technical skills gained during the Academy, participants are better equipped to align their national adaptation efforts with global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The UNFCCC-CASTT Adaptation Academy has not only enhanced participants' understanding of the ETF but has also empowered them with practical, actionable strategies that will strengthen their countries' capacity to address climate adaptation challenges. As we look ahead, the success of the Asia Academy will serve as a model for future capacity-building initiatives in other regions, reinforcing the importance of transparency in the global fight against climate change.