People’s Movements Call for a Just, Humane, and Sustainable Future for All
Civil society organizations, faith groups, and communities across Southeast Asia unite to issue the 2025 ASEAN People’s Agenda on Climate, Biodiversity, and Energy, calling on ASEAN leaders to pursue a bold, people-centered transformation that protects biodiversity, addresses the climate crisis, and upholds the rights and dignity of all.
Endorsed by more than 20 organizations, including the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), EarthRights International, Energy Shift Southeast Asia, Office on Human Development and Climate Change Desk fo the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference, Caritas Philippines, and World Animal Protection, the Agenda challenges ASEAN’s reliance on fossil fuels and profit-driven development, urging instead for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable systems that place people and nature at the heart of progress.
“Southeast Asia stands at the forefront of the climate and biodiversity crisis,” the groups stated. “Our region—home to the Coral Triangle and some of the world’s richest ecosystems—faces worsening heatwaves, floods, and rising seas. Addressing these crises is no longer optional; it is essential for our collective survival.”
With COP30 approaching, the groups reiterate the need for Southeast Asian governments to align their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) with the 1.5°C goal.
The Agenda also delivers a message to Global Northern countries: acknowledge and act on their historical responsibility for the climate crisis, upholding the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities, and urgently deliver climate finance.
Responding to the crisis facing marine ecosystems, the Agenda calls for the protection and recovery of biodiversity, including declaring key biodiversity areas and wildlife corridors, such as the Coral Triangle, Verde Island Passage, Tun Mustapha Park, and Mekong Delta, as no-go zones for destructive and extractive activities.
While welcoming Malaysia’s adoption of the Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment during its final Summit as ASEAN Chair, this is just a starting point. The Agenda urges ASEAN to establish and adopt a legally binding framework for environmental rights. “We further demand that environmental goals be made central, the need for inter-pillar integration and implementation through the frameworks of the social and economic pillars of the ASEAN framework,” the groups stated.