Asia is facing an intensifying climate crisis that is reshaping its landscapes, economies, and communities. From the melting glaciers of the Himalayas to the flood-prone deltas of Pakistan and Bangladesh, the region is experiencing the effects of global warming at an alarming pace. According to recent data from the World Meteorological Organization, Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, with 2024 marking its hottest year on record.
Countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and China have witnessed a surge in extreme weather events, including deadly heatwaves, erratic monsoons, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods. In Pakistan, shifting rainfall patterns have disrupted agriculture and displaced thousands, while India’s coastal regions face rising sea levels and increasingly severe cyclones. Bangladesh continues to battle salinity intrusion and land erosion, threatening food security and livelihoods.
The crisis is not confined to rural areas. Urban centers across South Asia are struggling with infrastructure stress, water shortages, and public health risks. In the Himalayas, nearly all monitored glaciers are retreating, endangering long-term water supplies for millions downstream.
In response to these challenges, the 9th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum is currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand. Running from September 29 to October 3, 2025, the forum brings together regional governments, scientists, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to develop strategies for climate resilience. Hosted by UNESCAP, UNEP, and the Asian Development Bank, the event focuses on food security, water conservation, urban adaptation, and climate finance.
Delegates are calling for transformational change, emphasizing the need to rethink governance, invest in sustainable infrastructure, and integrate indigenous knowledge into climate planning. The forum’s outcomes are expected to inform global negotiations at COP30 later this year, ensuring that Asia’s unique vulnerabilities and solutions are reflected in international climate policy.
As the world watches, Asia’s response to the climate emergency will not only determine the future of its own people—it will shape the global path toward resilience and justice.