Ford Foundation and United Nations in China Convene AsiaXchange 2025 Dialogue on South–South Cooperation and Climate Finance

Opening the dialogue, Alexander Irwan, Regional Director at Ford Foundation in Indonesia, called for stronger South–South partnerships to expand resource mobilization beyond traditional North–South channels, highlighting the need to build bridges between governments, international organizations, and the private sector to unlock untapped financing opportunities.

Boby Hernawan, Director of Multilateral Cooperation and Sustainable Finance at the Ministry of Finance in Indonesia, highlighted that climate change is not only an environmental issue but a financial stability challenge that demands coordinated fiscal, monetary, and regulatory responses. He outlined Indonesia’s efforts to align sustainable finance including green budgeting, targeted incentives, and climate-related stress testing for banks. “The question is no longer whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to,” he said, emphasizing that climate finance must be seen not as a cost, but as the foundation of the region’s resilient and sustainable future. He called for stronger South–South cooperation to mobilize capital, close the climate finance gap, and drive a more inclusive economic transformation across the Global South.

In his remarks, Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, reflected on his longstanding connections to both Indonesia and China, describing them as “pillars of transformation and leadership in the Global South.” He underscored China’s achievements in renewable energy and green finance as examples of how political will, effective execution, and partnership can drive real progress. Drawing parallels with Indonesia’s rapid development and innovation, he emphasized that Asia’s cooperation will be essential to advancing climate action and delivering tangible outcomes at COP30. “This is the moment for Asia to lead, by working together to deliver the climate transformation our planet urgently needs,” he said.

Moderated by Marlistya Citraningrum, the session brought together Joko Tri Haryanto of the Indonesia Environment Fund, Jennifer Lasimbang of Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity (IPAS) Fund, Piyachart Isarabhakdee of BRANDi, and Xu Hu of the Chinese Academy of Financial Inclusion. The discussion underscored that unlocking climate finance in the Asia-Pacific requires cross-border collaboration, stronger regional partnerships, and inclusive frameworks that leave no community behind. Speakers noted that mobilizing climate finance is not only about expanding capital flows but also about ensuring equitable access and lasting impact. They highlighted challenges such as high borrowing costs and limited project pipelines, while pointing to community-led solutions, local financial systems, and indigenous knowledge as essential foundations for just and sustainable transitions. 

Building on the momentum of the Pre-COP30 seminar held at the UN Compound in Beijing, which called for COP30 in Belém to be a “COP of implementation,” participants at AsiaXchange echoed similar themes of urgency and action. As underscored in Beijing, where Brazil and China were highlighted as key partners in advancing climate finance and sustainable development, speakers in Jakarta reaffirmed that the credibility of the climate process depends not on new pledges but on delivering tangible outcomes. Both events converged on the message that ambition must translate into results: clean energy access, resilient livelihoods, and equitable transitions that place people and planet at the center. 

Looking ahead to COP30 in Belém, participants reaffirmed that South–South cooperation is a critical driver for closing the climate finance gap. Speakers noted that Asia-Pacific countries are uniquely positioned to lead through regional solidarity and innovation, by scaling up green bonds and blended finance, advancing just energy transitions, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure. Echoing the messages of the Pre-COP30 discussions in Beijing, participants agreed that trust in the global climate process depends on turning commitments into measurable outcomes and ensuring that climate finance delivers tangible benefits for those most vulnerable to climate change.

The session concluded with a call to carry forward the momentum of AsiaXchange 2025 through research partnerships, policy innovation, and practical cooperation that can expand the pool of resources available to the Global South. Both the Ford Foundation and the UN in China reaffirmed their commitment to supporting this work, underscoring that regional collaboration is key to advancing sustainable development and accelerating climate action.