Welcome note by the SN Spokesperson

Dear SNRD Asia and the Pacific members and readers, What a year this has been…! 2020 is almost over and it was in all its facets an extraordinary year! We were looking forward to meeting you in person this year during the most awaited sector network event, our joint SNRD AP TUEWAS Conference in Bangkok, first in May, then in October. The situation did not allow for such, but we are all hopeful that next year will be a better one! Despite the current life “in pandemic” we are still amazed and proud how much drive there was at our SNRD Asia and the Pacific in 2020: We have welcomed several new projects (now having 73 associated projects, representing a total, global project volume, of over €1 billion) and members, we hosted many webinars through our working groups and the network as a whole (e.g. on TOPICS, PANORAMA and many others), connecting colleagues across the globe. The new SNRD AP Learning and Innovation Fund with increased budgets (up to 15.000 EUR per proposal) for our members sparked more exciting collaboration, which is now complemented by our new staff in our secretariat to support our members better. Beyond that, we had our first ever SNRD AP TUEWAS Joint virtual event, where we had more than 150 participants, issued newsletters with exciting content and plenty of interesting exchanges with members, working group leaders, our hierarchies, other sector networks’ spokespersons and of course on the level of our secretariat team. As you know, we are committed to make our work and support to you better, so we are keen to continue our SNRD AP “future-fit-process”, which shall enhance our set-up and our services to you as members. Be invited to be part of it! Feel free to approach us anytime to share your thoughts, hints, ideas to make us respond well to your needs! We are looking at establishing new work-formats aside from our WG that support topics and drive “where the energy is”. Now enjoy reading our newsletter’s Christmas-Edition. Have a wonderful Christmas Season and we are sending our best wishes for 2021! Stay in touch, fine and healthy! Warm regards, Matthias Radek (SNRD AP Spokesperson), Donaya Siamwalla (SNRD AP Network Manager and Public Relations Officer), Wilaiwan Photharam (SNRD AP Assistant), and Neha Singh (SNRD AP Assistant)

Newsletter Content News from partner projects & initiatives from the region and from HQ » Game Changers - Women in Agriculture: The multimedia exhibition is online! » GIZ and IPD will continue successful cooperation at the world’s leading trade fair for organic food in 2021 » Job Creation for Africa’s Youth. Are there Pathways in Agricultural Value Chains? Updates on latest developments and knowledge sharing (technical) » Work Stream: Green and Climate Finance o Inaugural green bond of the German government and the role of GIZ to support this effort » Working Group Agriculture o The ReCAP Project: Growing climate and farmer friendly coconuts that happen to be oh-so-delicious! o Providing farmers’ financial security o Road to Agripreneurship: A Farm Business School (FBS) for Abaca Smallholder Farmers in the Philippines » Working Group Biodiversity o Announcement of Upcoming Project – ‘SoNG’ o New MOIC decision aimed at managing and monitoring national timber input and output o New Special Project on COVID-19 mitigation measures extends support to Sundarbans’s Dependent Communities during the pandemic o Online training on ‘nature-based solutions for global challenges’ in Asia and Pacific » Working Group Climate Change Adaptation o Closing the loop - Circular Economy Solutions Preventing Marine Litter in Ecosystems (CES) » Working Group Forest o Working Group Forest Overview » Working Group Hills to Ocean o SNRD AP Pandemic Impact Study o GIZ supported the 4th Philippine National Mangrove Conference Documents & Publications (technical content) » Publications from the HQ o Building back better from COVID-19 through inclusive territorial approaches o Landscape Approaches – Background Paper Other Newsletters, Useful Links & Platforms (news from other networks) » AdaptationCommunity.net » GIZ International Forestry Policy Newsletter » GIZ Philippines » GIZ Thailand » Indo-German Biodiversity Programme » Sector Network TUEWAS » SNRD Africa » World Bank Group Announces Ambitious 35% Finance Target to Support Countries’ Climate Action » TED-Talk: 5 Transformational Policies for a Prosperous and Sustainable World by Johan Rockström Personnel » Call for Speaker for Hills to Ocean Working Group » Introducing the "new" Speaker of the Forest Working Group

News from partner projects & initiatives from the region and from HQ

Game Changers - Women in Agriculture: The multimedia exhibition is online! © GIZ/Sana Nasir: The seven "Game Changers - Women in Agriculture": Janet Adade (Ghana), Bariétou Agbere (Togo), Ramvati Adiwashi (India), Akech Manyuat Gong (South Sudan), Krishna Radha (India), Juliette Sebou (Togo), Euphrasie Assogba (Benin)   Women in rural areas bring about great changes every day despite many obstacles. As part of the special initiative ONE WORLD – No Hunger, seven women from Africa and Asia were awarded for their commitment to agriculture. A digital exhibition shows their impressive success stories. Read More Contact Person Dorothea Hohengarten – Communications Specialist Sustainable Rural Areas, GloBe

GIZ and IPD will continue successful cooperation at the world’s leading trade fair for organic food in 2021 Joint exhibition booth of GIZ, develoPPP.de and Import Promotion Desk (IPD) at BIOFACH 2020 (Copyright: IPD)   Digital BIOFACH (February 2021) – Organic Sourcing for Development GIZ and the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) will extend their successful joint exhibition appearance for the sixth time at BIOFACH 2021. BIOFACH is world’s leading trade fair for organic food, with more than 47,000 visitors from over 135 countries in 2020. Read More Link to BIOFACH website Link to BIOFACH congress Contact Person Sarah Lena Jensen - Advisor David Wilder - Junior-Advisor Sector Project Agricultural Trade, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance (SV AAA) Key buzzwords / “tags” Organic agriculture, business opportunities, BIOFACH, Import Promotion Desk (IPD)

Job Creation for Africa’s Youth. Are there Pathways in Agricultural Value Chains? Tea sorting in Kenya Title page of the Policy-Brief (Copyright: GIZ)   New Policy Brief published Rapidly rising demand for food fuelled by population growth, urbanisation and income growth offers enormous opportunities for employment creation in the agri-food sector in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): the sector has the potential to be a driver of economic transformation. This policy brief highlights the main results from a GIZ-supported study of the evolving employment dynamics in SSA’s agricultural value chains by Michigan State University. Three main pathways are described that provide job opportunities in agricultural value chains and in the non-farm sectors. Further, the study summarises key entry points for investment and policy actions to promote inclusive, competitive and productive agri-food systems generating employment opportunities and contributing to economic growth and transformation. Link to Website Contact Person Dr. Heike Höffler - Project Leader Sector Project Agricultural Trade, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance (SV AAA) Key buzzwords / “tags” Africa, rural employment, youth, agriculture, opportunities

Updates, latest development & knowledge sharing

Work Stream: Green and Climate Finance Inaugural green bond of the German government and the role of GIZ to support this effort The innovative concept and issuance of this security is regarded as a successful landmark transaction in global green bond markets. The inaugural green federal security was five times oversubscribed. To understand the presentation better, watch this video of the German Federal Finance Agency, which explains the green bond concept and highlights the role of GIZ. Link to Presentation Contact Person Achim Deuchert - Planning Officer Financial Systems Development Green and Climate Finance

Working Group Agriculture The ReCAP Project: Growing climate and farmer friendly coconuts that happen to be oh-so-delicious! © Nuanla-or Dherdkiattikun, Nuanla-or working on her coconut farm   The new ReCAP project supports coconut farmers in the Nam Hom Provinces of Thailand in converting their farms to regenerative organic farms. What is regenerative organic farming? In a nutshell: Farming practices that boost soil health and reduce GHGs in the atmosphere to arm farms against the effects of climate change. Read More Contact person Lisa Faust - Project Manager Regenerative Coconuts Agriculture Project (ReCAP) Further Information Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) Harmless Harvest Thailand Danone Ecosystem Fund White paper: Regenerative Agriculture and the soil carbon solution, Rodale Institute 2020 Key buzzwords / “tags” ROC, Regenerative Organic Agriculture, Coconut; Sustainability, Thailand, Farming, InS

Providing farmers’ financial security ASEAN public and private sectors join hands to raise awareness on disaster risk financing strategies and regional cross-sectoral collaboration in driving food security and sustainable development in agricultural sector. Read More Contact person Apiradee Treerutkuarkul - Senior Communication Officer Agriculture and Food Cluster

Road to Agripreneurship: A Farm Business School (FBS) for Abaca Smallholder Farmers in the Philippines The Road to Agripreneurship: The Farmer Business School in Abaca or Abaca FBS is a trainer’s guide that is based on experiences and was adapted from the highly successful approach from the Sustainable Smallholder Agribusiness Projects in Africa. This new edition was jointly developed in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Fiber and Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) under the Abaca Sustainability Initiative Plus (ASI+). It supports farmers in the Philippines in becoming better agripreneurs. Read More Contact person Matthias Radek - Chief Advisor Development Partnerships in Agriculture GIZ Philippines Jaime Gallentes - Senior National Coordinator ASI+ Project

Working Group Biodiversity Announcement of Upcoming Project – ‘SoNG’ ‘Integrated Management of the Sundarbans Mangroves and the Marine Protected Area ‘Swatch of No Ground (SoNG)’ project will be commissioned by BMZ and implemented jointly by Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), Department of Fisheries (DoF), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH from January 2022 to December 2024. The objective of the project is an improved coordination among the BFD, DoF and respective resource users with the result of an integrated sustainable fishery management and an effective use of monitoring capacities. By enhancing connectivity, the two largest neighboring coastal and marine protected area of Bangladesh will be considerable strengthened. Contact person Dr. Stefan Alfred Groenewold - Principal Advisor Support to the Management of the Sundarbans Reserved Forest (SMP II) Key buzzwords / “tags” Sundarbans Mangroves, Coastal and Marine Protected Area of Bangladesh, Resource Users, Integrated Sustainable Fishery Management

New MOIC decision aimed at managing and monitoring national timber input and output GIZ/ Bart Verweij / Production flow and its critical control point at timber processing factory   The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) has approved a decision on the management and monitoring of timber input and output to strengthen the control of the national timber supply chain at the premises of operators. The main objectives of this regulation include ensuring the legality of timber sources and preventing the mixing of illegal timber with legal timber in the supply chain of timber processing factories and timber traders by clearly defining principles and rules for traceability of timber, right from processing to sale in domestic markets or points of export. Read More Link to Website Contact person Martin Nowack - Project Director Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (ProFEB) Tobias Goedde - Team Leader Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT)

New Special Project on COVID-19 mitigation measures extends support to Sundarbans’s Dependent Communities during the pandemic This short-termed project (September 2020 March 2021) in the Sundarbans Reserved Forest is commissioned by BMZ and jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD). Objectives are to strengthen the BFD in their conservation efforts by providing protection equipment for 1700 field rangers, installing sanitation corners in 20 ranger stations and repairing damaged embankments. At the same time, by providing relief packages to 7000 poor households and reaching out to 1500 school students in isolated villages around the Sundarbans, the multiple pressure on resources and resource users will be reduced. Contact person Dr. Stefan Alfred Groenewold - Principal Advisor Support to the Management of the Sundarbans Reserved Forest (SMP II)

Online training on ‘nature-based solutions for global challenges’ in Asia and Pacific ©Thora Amend   Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have received considerable attention in development cooperation and play a significant role in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. To contribute to the successful implementation of NbS in the region, the Biodiversity WG of SNRD AP, the Sector Programme Conservation of Biodiversity on Land (BMZ), and the BfN are organising an online training on NbS. Participant slots for the upcoming training in February 2021 are already full. However, a modular training for replication is under development and will be available early 2021. If you are interested in hosting a training in your country, please get in touch with us. Read More Contact person Carina van Weelden - Speaker Biodiversity Working Group, SNRD AP Carolin Frisch – Advisor Sector Programme Conservation of Biodiversity on Land Link to further materials SNRD AP Innovation and Learning Fund 2020 / Biodiversity Training Key buzzwords / “tags” NbS, post-2020 global biodiversity framework, training

Working Group Climate Change Adaptation Closing the loop - Circular Economy Solutions Preventing Marine Litter in Ecosystems (CES) Picture Damage Control / GIZ publication   Financed by the BMU and in partnership with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change (MoEFCC) the objective of the project is to implement approaches for circular economy solutions for reducing, reusing and recycling of plastics along the entire value chain to prevent marine litter in selected ecosystems in partnership with public and private actors. A focus is on implementation of the national framework for Extended Producer Responsibility EPR by environmental authorities in 3 states (Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu). In partnership with the private sector selected (digital) technological solutions to implement EPR are demonstrated and in collaboration with producers and recyclers the development of sustainable packaging material and innovative eco-design are supported. Link to Video Contact person Ashish Chaturvedi – Director Climate Change, GIZ India Key buzzwords / “tags” India, marine litter, plastics, EPR, circular economy, recycling, waste management

Working Group Forest Working Group Forest Overview The goal of the WG Forest is to improve our services for our commissioners, counterparts and target groups as well as to contribute to raise GIZ’s profile as attractive partner for forestry in the region. The WG Forest promotes exchange of knowledge on challenges and lessons learned in Forestry related issues. It facilitates learning exchange between members and creates a regional hub for knowledge management on methods/approaches. The WG communicates through MS teams, will have quarterly digital meeting for technical discussions on specific topics as well as a face to face conference every 2 years along with the SNRD AP meeting. The WG is currently in the process of setting up focus topics for the quarterly meetings. Potential topics are: Financing forest/landscape restoration / Green Climate Fund, MRV issues in forestry, Community based approach, REDD+, Forest fires, Forest Ecosystem Services, Certification/VPA, Resilience & Covid response, Digitalization in Forestry Sector and Application of Technology in Forest Management/Forest Monitoring, Forest land rights and forest management. In addition, the WG currently develops a WG Forest expertise list with information on the members’ projects and their expertise. This will enable other members to find each other according to their expertise. Contact person Tunggul Butarbutar - Speaker Forest Working Group, SNRD AP

Working Group Hills to Ocean SNRD AP Pandemic Impact Study As part of the SNRD Asia Pacific Innovation and Learning Fund, the H2O WG have commissioned a study this November 2020 until March 2021 that will assess and document impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic to blue and green value chains with focus on fisheries, tourism and biodiversity conservation in Asia and Pacific. Using Covid-19 as an example, we will be looking at the interface between human-nature interactions, ecosystem dynamics, and blue and green value chains in view of zoonotic risks and propose innovative solution approaches and possible steps to support recovery and help prevent and mitigate such comparable future global pandemics. Specifically, we are looking at how GIZ projects working in these sectors have been impacted by the pandemic and their interventions to address such. Results will be shared with the GIZ Green Recovery program and may be shared with other relevant networks and platforms, including the 2021 SNRD AP TUEWAS Conference, to contribute developing new safeguard strategies for projects in the wide field of biodiversity conservation. The working group would like to invite WG members to participate and share your experience in these sectors. Contact person Rhodora Raras - Member Hills to Ocean Working Group, SNRD AP

GIZ supported the 4th Philippine National Mangrove Conference GIZ Philippines and the Zoological Society of London Philippines (ZSL) through the "Sustainable Coastal Protection through Biodiversity Conservation in Coastal Ecosystems affected by Typhoons in the Philippines" (ProCoast) successfully hosted the 4th National Mangrove Conference with the theme “Linking Science, Innovation, and Policy: Mangrove and Beach Forest Conservation”. The 4-day virtual event last 24-27 November 2020, showcased learning and exchange among scientists, local leaders, private sectors and the government agencies. A total of 14 scientific papers (oral and posters) with expert speakers led by Dr. Jurgenne Primavera, leading mangrove scientist from ZSL and Prof. Dr. Shing Yip Lee, Chairperson of International union for Conservation of Nature mangrove specialist group. Contact person Terence Dacles – Speaker Hills to Ocean Working Group, SNRD AP

Documents & Publications

Publications from the HQ Building back better from COVID-19 through inclusive territorial approaches Interlinked areas show a higher degree of health, social and economic resilience. Therefore, the effects of COVID-19 clearly show weaknesses in current isolated economic and development concepts. In contrast, territorial approaches enable holistic solutions that go beyond sectorally isolated development perspectives. Here, the ecological, economic, digital and political administrative potentials of a region, e.g. disaster prevention across administrative levels, are jointly considered and turned into added value. The article describes possible measures of using territorial approaches in response to the effects of COVID-19. It also emphasizes the importance of political change processes that have been brought about by the crisis. Link to Publication Contact person Dorothea Hohengarten - Communications Specialist Sustainable Rural Areas, GloBe Key buzzwords / “tags” Covid-19, territorial approach, regional potential, rural development, rural urban linkages

Landscape Approaches – Background Paper Landscapes are the meeting ground of socio-economic considerations and environmental concerns. Multiple demands need to be balanced while pressure on landscapes is rising due to population growth and increasing demands for food, energy and raw materials. Landscape approaches provide sustainable solutions for this. They foster compromises to seize potentials for the benefit of the population, without endangering natural resources. This background paper outlines the relevance of landscapes, the challenges they face, and the solutions landscape approaches offer. It recommends measures to facilitate the implementation of landscape approaches and to harness their contribution to the SDGs. Link to Publication Contact person Dorothea Hohengarten - Communications Specialist Sustainable Rural Areas, GloBe Key buzzwords / “tags” Rural Development, Landscape Approaches, Landscape Restoration, Biodiversity

Other Newsletters, Useful Links & Platforms

AdaptationCommunity.net - The Global Programme Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) have launched a global website, a subpage on Climate Change and Migration under the AdaptationCommunity.net. Please click the link for an introduction to the topic of climate change-induced human mobility, publications, and other resources. The global programme operates in the Pacific Islands, the Philippines and the Caribbean, and is supported by a team in Bonn. GIZ International Forestry Policy Newsletter - Subscribe now to get news and updates on GIZ International Forest Policy. If you would like to receive the GIZ International Forest Policy Newsletter, please send a message to forests@giz.de GIZ Philippines - Get updated on GIZ Philippines and Pacific GIZ Thailand - Learn about GIZ Thailand activities and other updates Indo-German Biodiversity Programme - Indo-German Biodiversity Programme Newsletter, Issue 8, July 2020 Sector Network TUEWAS - Sector Network Transport, Environment, Energy, and Water in Asia SNRD Africa - Stay informed what is happening with our sister network

World Bank Group Announces Ambitious 35% Finance Target to Support Countries’ Climate Action The World Bank Group announced an ambitious target for 35% of its financing to have climate co-benefits, on average, over the next five years. Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/12/09/world-bank-group-announces-ambitious-35-finance-target-to-support-countries-climate-action

TED-Talk: 5 Transformational Policies for a Prosperous and Sustainable World by Johan Rockström In a talk about how we can build a robust future without wrecking the planet, sustainability expert Johan Rockström debuts the Earth3 model -- a new methodology that combines the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the nine planetary boundaries, beyond which earth's vital systems could become unstable. Learn more about five transformational policies that could help us achieve inclusive and prosperous world development while keeping the earth stable and resilient. Link to the talk

Personnel

Call for Speaker for Hills to Ocean Working Group Hills to Ocean working group with focus on closely interlinked topics like Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) with inclusion of different stakeholders, aquaculture, (small-scale) sustainable fishing, coastal and marine conservation (MPA – Marine Protected Area network), mangrove conservation and restoration, participative coastal & marine biodiversity management, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CSP, including Zoning), and Integrated Coastal Protection Planning (includes erosion control, breakwater, mangrove belt, sea-dyke and livelihood). The Working Group is now looking for a new speaker. Please contact snrd-asia@giz.de for your nomination!

Introducing the "new" Speaker of the Forest Working Group Since August 2020, Tunggul Butarbutar, currently working as Principal Advisor for Peatland Management and Rehabilitation in Indonesia, has taken over the role as the "new" Speaker of Forest Working Group and has recently appointed Lena Keller-Bischoff to support the work of the Working Group.

Published by: SNRD Asia and the Pacific Secretariat Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany 193/63 Lake Rajada Office Complex 16th Fl. New Rachadapisek-Rama 4 Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok, 10110 Thailand E snrd-asia@giz.de I www.snrd-asia.org Bangkok 2020 Unsubscribe: Send us an email to snrd-asia@giz.de to unsubscribe. Editor: SNRD Asia and the Pacific Secretariat, Bangkok Design: Sector Network Coordination Unit, Eschborn SNRD Asia and the Pacific Secretariat, Bangkok Photo credits/sources: As shown under each pictures URL links: Responsibility for the content of external websites linked in this publication always lies with their respective publishers. GIZ expressly dissociates itself from such content. GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.