Under the theme “Accelerating climate action in Asia and the Pacific for sustainable development”, a “Climate Solutions Fair” was set up on the occasion of the Seventy-ninth session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on 15-19 May 2023 in Bangkok. 

The “Climate Solutions Fair” provided opportunities for member States and stakeholders to share successful and proven examples, innovative perspectives, thought-provoking insights, and lessons learnt on solutions conducive to the ambitious climate action in Asia and the Pacific.

The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (ESCAP-CSAM) joined the “Climate Solutions Fair” by setting up a booth on “Sustainable and Climate-Smart Agricultural Mechanization to Tackle Crop Residue Burning and Prevent Air Pollution”, presenting mechanization solutions.

 
ESCAP-CSAM is implementing a Regional Initiative on Integrated Straw Management to identify, test and promote an integrated model of straw residue management using climate-smart agricultural machinery. Pilot projects have been implemented in China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal and Viet Nam, while India has also contributed as a knowledge sharing partner. Positive results have been attained from the pilots in terms of providing locally-suited alternatives to crop residue burning, strengthening stakeholder capacities, enhancing soil health and increasing farmers’ income. The regional initiative was cited as a good practice in South-South and Triangular Cooperation by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation in 2022, which was also acknowledged during the member States’ statements at the Seventy-ninth Commission Session. The initiative was also featured at the ‘Sustainability and Innovation Centre’ recently opened in the United Nations Conference Centre, in particular referring to a virtual field demonstration and workshop conducted in China as part of the regional initiative which won an Innovation Award from ESCAP colleagues in 2022.

The delegations from Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Thailand, among others, as well as several other stakeholders, visited the booth and expressed strong interest in the mechanization solutions showcased for addressing the role of crop residue burning in climate change and in collaboration with ESCAP-CSAM.