About
The issue of climate change has to be addressed beyond the national level. Regional cooperation, particularly in fast developing Southeast Asia region, is absolutely essential so that all organisations concerned about the devastating effect of climate change can form partnerships to exchange information, strengthen communication and coordinate activities.
The Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA) was formed in 1991 to meet these objectives. It consists of at least 15 non-governmental organisations (NGO) based in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, with dozens of other organisations working in partnership on related issues such as renewable energy, sustainable energy development, natural resource management, technology development and exchange, international agreements and financing.
The objective of CANSEA is to strengthen the ability of organisation concerned with climate change in the region to address this issue effectively. This would be through providing support for lobbying activities, training, education and awareness, exchange of information, pooling of resources and expanding network.
By Law
Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA) is presently composed of 6 countries of Southeast Asia namely: Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Each country is represented on the Steering Committee by 3 persons namely the National Coordinator and 2 Steering Committee Members chosen from among the member organizations of each country member of CANSEA. The Regional Coordinator is rotated every two years around the member countries and is chosen by the Steering Committee of the host country. The Steering Committee should meet twice a year at least.
Regional Secretariat
Host country – Rotate every two years to member countries to manage the secretariat
See timeline
1992-1993 – Indonesia
1994-1995 – Philippines
1996-1997 – Malaysia
1998-1999 – Indonesia
2000-2001 – Philippines
2002-2003 – Malaysia
2004-2008 – Philippines
2009-2010 – Indonesia
2010-2012 – Malaysia
2012-2015 – Thailand
2015-2017 – Indonesia
2017-2019 – Malaysia
2019-2021 – Malaysia
Specific Objectives
- To strengthen the capacity of the CANSEA national nodes to advance climate change work in their respective countries, and to exert positive influence on government policies and positions relevant to climate change.
- To contribute to the development of strong regional positions and cooperation on climate change through relevant regional inter-governmental bodies such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and multi-lateral institutions within the Southeast Asian region.
- To facilitate information sharing, knowledge exchange and capacity building among members and other stakeholders.
- To be an effective voice of Southeast Asia in developing the Climate Action Network International (CAN) positions as part of the international negotiations on climate change.
- To mobilize necessary resources to help national nodes in their work.