Environment

Abstract

Asia faces growing vulnerability to natural disasters, flooding, drought and other transboundary environmental problems, with severe consequences for rural and urban communities, food security, economic growth, and political stability. Environmental problems, by their very nature, are as complex as they are inevitable. They are the unintended by-products of the very development activities nations pursue to grow their economies. Addressing environmental issues requires strong governance structures to facilitate multi-sectoral and multilevel dialogue among government agencies, private sector, civil society, research institutions, and other stakeholders. Ultimately, solutions require collective political will: stakeholders from across sectors working toward a shared vision for socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable development. The Asia Foundation, drawing upon 60 years of governance experience, plays an essential role in helping Asian countries address critical national and regional environmental challenges.