From September 30 to October 3, Fair Finance Asia (FFA) and Fair Finance Thailand (FFT) conducted a series of multi-stakeholder discussions as part of the first-ever Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW). Under the overarching theme, “Financing a Just, Inclusive, and Equitable Future: Mobilizing Community Voices for Asia’s Just Transition,” these sessions facilitated important and timely discussions on how to strengthen regional and national multi-stakeholder collaborative strategies that can urgently redirect more finance and momentum toward Asia’s climate and just transition goals.
Below are summaries of FFA’s key sessions, photos, and session recordings.
Going Viral: Strengthening Youth-led Digital Campaigns on Climate Action and Just Energy Transition
On September 30, FFA and FFT organized a digital campaigning workshop that delved into key components of successful digital campaigns. Youth representatives including Rachelle Junsay of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), Tirza Listiarani of 2030 Youth Force Indonesia, and Nannapus Pongwitoon of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) presented their organizations’ work and digital campaigns and afterwards facilitated a digital campaigning workshop.
Press Conference: Holding Asian Financial Institutions Accountable for Social and Environmental Impacts of Cross-border Energy Transition Financing
On October 1, FFT hosted a press conference featuring Bernadette Victorio of FFA, Piyanan Jitjang of the Rak Chiang Khong Conservation Group, and Sarinee Achavanuntakul of FFT. The event highlighted the critical role of Asia’s financial institutions in promoting responsible cross-border energy transition financing, as projects like Mekong hydropower continue to affect communities and ecosystems in Thailand and Lao PDR.
Bernadette Victorio emphasized that financial institutions have both the responsibility and leverage to align their portfolios with human rights and justice-based sustainability principles, calling for capital to be redirected toward inclusive and equitable energy projects.
Speaking from the perspective of affected Mekong communities, Piyanan Jitjang urged financiers to confront the on-the-ground impacts of hydropower projects labeled as “clean energy,” warning that dams like Pak Beng risk creating toxic pollution traps rather than sustainable power sources.
Sarinee Achavanuntakul pointed to gaps between project documentation and international standards, noting that projects such as Pak Beng and Luang Prabang fail to meet key requirements under the Equator Principles.
Access the media coverage list here. Access FFT’s summary of the press conference here. Watch the recording of the session here.
Financial Accountability and Community Voices in Asia’s Cross-border Energy Transition
On October 1, FFT conducted a panel discussion that amplified voices of communities affected by cross-border energy investments, particularly Mekong hydropower projects, while also featuring perspectives from CSOs and other stakeholders. The panelists included Bernadette Victorio of FFA, Piyanan Jitjang of the Rak Chiang Khong Conservation Group, Sarinee Achavanuntakul of FFT, Najwa Abu Bakar of Sustainable Finance Institute Asia (SFIA), and Shubert Ciencia of Oxfam’s Influencing Just Energy Transition in ASEAN (IJET) Program.
Climate Action Marketplace and Strengthening the Alignment of Asia’s Financial Sector with Climate Commitments
On October 1, FFA hosted a Climate Action Marketplace open to the public. The marketplace featured booths of FFA coalitions, Fair Finance International (FFI), the Asia Network for People’s Energy (ANPE), Oxfam’s IJET Program, and the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC). The objectives of the marketplace were to facilitate the exchange of information and collaborative dialogue among participants at BKKCAW; strengthen solidarity among stakeholders through shared stories, informal engagement, cultural exchange, and positive interactions; and provide a platform for organizations and communities to showcase initiatives and invite collaboration on climate action and JET.
In the afternoon, FFA hosted an open mic session for all marketplace participants to present bank policy assessments outcomes, case studies, and other research which highlight gaps in climate action, as well as opportunities to collaborate on initiatives to advance climate action and just transition.
Unpacking the Risks and Impacts of the Global Race for Asia’s Critical Minerals
On October 1, FFA and FFT hosted a multi-stakeholder panel discussion that explored collaborative solutions, from regional policy frameworks to responsible corporate practices that respect the rights and well-being of communities and recognize their role as active agents in decision-making, ownership, and benefit-sharing.
Moderated by Bernadette Victorio of FFA, the panel featured Dr. Ambiyah Abdullah of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), who shared how ASEAN’s forthcoming energy cooperation plan will, for the first time, embed a just and inclusive transition as a regional priority; Robie Halip of Rights Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP), who urged stronger accountability from financial institutions and full transparency across supply chains to protect Indigenous rights; Chaitra Nayak of the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), who highlighted how investors are increasingly demanding early community engagement and locally grounded just transition models; Supanat Kaewlek of the Ministry of Justice Thailand, who outlined Thailand’s “3Ps” approach—Policy, Practice, and Partnership—to advance mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence; and Eric Lam of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), who emphasized ADB’s upcoming Environmental and Social Framework that mandates Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and promotes inclusive, sustainable growth.
The discussion underscored the need for stronger cooperation between governments, investors, and civil society to ensure that the energy transition and critical mineral development are fair, transparent, and genuinely people-centered. This session was officially part of T20 South Africa 2025’s series of side sessions.
Access the recording of the session here.
Strides of Solidarity: Run for Climate Justice and Just Transition that Leave No One Behind
On October 3, FFA brought together network members, participants and organizers from BKKCAW, and members of the public in a run to raise awareness on climate justice and just transition at Bangkok’s Benchakitti Park. Fair Finance Pakistan’s Asim Jaffry and YACAP’s Rachelle Junsay closed the mobilization with statements of solidarity, reaffirming the shared commitment of different countries and sectors, such as the youth, to advancing climate justice, accountability, and inclusive transitions across Asia.
More information
- Access session livestream recordings here.
- Learn more about the sessions here.