During their visit to the Climate Centre in Gazipur, Bangladesh, from August 19-25, 2023, a team of scientists and researchers from ICRAF Vietnam, Thai Nguyen University, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Institute of Forestry and Sustainable Development met with the Climate Centre’s staff to exchange experiences.

During the meeting, the Climate Centre shared that it is designed to serve as South Asia’s knowledge hub for community-based climate adaptation solutions, climate risk reduction, and renewable energy solutions—essential for rural areas in Bangladesh and across South Asia to move towards sustainable development.

To date, research capacity on climate change remains uneven, not only within South Asia but also across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. Knowledge of climate change impacts varies by location. Notably, most vulnerable communities affected by climate change have little or no access to climate services tailored to their specific needs.

Furthermore, collaboration between communities and research institutions to develop effective solutions remains limited.

Therefore, the establishment of such a climate center in Vietnam—the first of its kind in Southeast Asia—would serve as a foundation for research and action, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. It would also connect stakeholders to advance net-zero emissions and climate resilience while addressing existing gaps in climate adaptation cooperation in Vietnam and the broader region.