Chulalongkorn University to Host Adaptation Research Alliance Secretariat, Advancing Global Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Strategic Partnership for Global Goals

Chulalongkorn University’s Social Research Institute (CUSRI), in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute–Asia (SEI-Asia), has been appointed to host the Secretariat of the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA). This marks the first time the Secretariat will be based in Thailand, positioning the university as a central hub for global climate adaptation research. This initiative directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) Mission and SDG Alignment

The ARA is a global coalition of over 40 countries, comprising researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations. Its core mission is to promote action-oriented research that enhances climate resilience for vulnerable populations. This mission is intrinsically linked to the following SDGs:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The primary focus is on developing effective and sustainable climate adaptation solutions.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The emphasis on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities directly addresses the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized groups.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Research efforts aim to make human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable in the face of climate challenges.

CUSRI’s Mandate and University-Wide Strategy for Sustainable Impact

As the ARA Secretariat, CUSRI will coordinate and guide research to address climate change adaptation. This role is a key component of Chulalongkorn University’s “Chula Togetherness” strategy, which promotes sustainable growth across four dimensions:

1. International Growth: Building cross-border networks to foster global collaboration, in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
2. Internal Growth: Strengthening innovation ecosystems to develop novel solutions, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
3. Impactful Growth: Advancing international research funding to scale up climate action projects, supporting SDG 13 and SDG 17.
4. Integrated Growth: Establishing the Chulalongkorn–ARA Global Hub as a world-class center for learning and innovation, advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9.

Strategic Objectives and Collaborative Framework

Over the next three years, CUSRI will focus on key objectives to advance the ARA’s mission and contribute to the SDGs:

• Mobilize greater resources for climate adaptation research.
• Strengthen data systems to support evidence-based policymaking.
• Ensure research outcomes deliver tangible benefits to society and the environment.

The established partnership between CUSRI and SEI-Asia exemplifies SDG 17 in action. CUSRI will concentrate on community-based adaptation, while SEI-Asia will address regional policy, creating a comprehensive approach to improving the lives of populations most affected by climate change.

Future Initiatives: The International Conference on Global Leadership in Social Business Innovation (GLSBI 2025)

CUSRI is scheduled to host the GLSBI 2025 conference on August 28–29, 2025, in Bangkok. This event will be organized in partnership with leading international bodies, including the Yunus Centre, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, SEI, and Yunus Thailand. The conference will serve as a global platform to advance social business innovation, thereby supporting:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting sustainable business models that address societal challenges.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by connecting academia, business, and policymakers from developed and developing nations to co-create solutions.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article’s central theme is climate change adaptation. It discusses the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA), whose mission is to “accelerate demand-driven, action-oriented research that strengthens the resilience of vulnerable communities and supports effective, sustainable climate adaptation solutions.” This directly aligns with the goal of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article heavily emphasizes collaboration and partnerships. It details the joint hosting of the ARA Secretariat by Chulalongkorn University’s Social Research Institute (CUSRI) and the Stockholm Environment Institute–Asia (SEI-Asia). It also mentions the ARA as a “worldwide network… from over 40 countries” and highlights future collaborations for the GLSBI 2025 conference with the Yunus Centre and others. This embodies the spirit of strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The focus on strengthening the “resilience of vulnerable communities” and developing “adaptation strategies that respond to local needs” connects to making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The article specifies that CUSRI will work directly with “community-based adaptation.”
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses strengthening innovation ecosystems and developing “infrastructure for climate data, learning, and innovation.” The core mission to “accelerate… action-oriented research” and “mobilize more resources for climate adaptation research” supports the goal of enhancing scientific research and fostering innovation.
5. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The establishment of the “Chulalongkorn–ARA Global Hub” as a “world-class center for learning and innovation where young researchers and practitioners can exchange knowledge” relates to promoting lifelong learning opportunities. It aims to build capacity and share knowledge to address sustainable development challenges.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article’s entire focus is on this, with the ARA’s mission being to strengthen “the resilience of vulnerable communities” and CUSRI’s role to “help communities adapt to climate change.”
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. The creation of the “Chulalongkorn–ARA Global Hub” for researchers and practitioners to “exchange knowledge and co-create long-term, systemic solutions” directly contributes to this target.
2. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article describes the ARA as a “worldwide network” and CUSRI’s role as a “bridge between Thai and international expertise,” which exemplifies this form of cooperation.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The collaboration between academic institutions (CUSRI), research institutes (SEI), civil society groups, and policymakers within the ARA framework is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership.
   • Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries. The initiative aims to “create opportunities for new generations of researchers and experts worldwide to share knowledge,” which is a form of capacity-building.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters. The article’s emphasis on developing “adaptation strategies that respond to local needs” and focusing on “community-based adaptation” directly supports the implementation of such plans at the community level.
4. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… by encouraging innovation. The mission to “accelerate demand-driven, action-oriented research,” “mobilize more resources for climate adaptation research,” and strengthen “innovation ecosystems” aligns perfectly with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Partnership and Resource Mobilization (SDG 17):
   • Number of participating countries: The article explicitly states the ARA is a network with members “from over 40 countries,” which serves as a direct indicator of the scale of the global partnership.
   • Amount of financial resources mobilized: The goal to “mobilize more resources for climate adaptation research” implies that the amount of funding raised will be a key performance indicator.
   • Number of collaborative events: The plan to host the “International Conference on Global Leadership in Social Business Innovation (GLSBI 2025)” is a measurable activity to foster partnerships.
2. Indicators for Climate Adaptation and Resilience (SDG 13 & 11):
   • Number of community-based adaptation strategies developed: The stated goal to “collaborate widely in developing adaptation strategies that respond to local needs” suggests that the number of such strategies created is a measurable output.
   • Number of communities impacted: The objective to “turn research into real-world community impact” and “improve the lives of vulnerable populations” implies that progress can be measured by the number of communities that benefit from the research and adaptation solutions.
3. Indicators for Research and Innovation (SDG 9):
   • Establishment of infrastructure: The concrete goal to “develop infrastructure for climate data, learning, and innovation” is a measurable milestone.
   • Number of researchers engaged: The creation of the “Chulalongkorn–ARA Global Hub” for “young researchers and practitioners” implies that the number of individuals participating in knowledge exchange can be tracked.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newswise.com