Australia Awards South and West Asia

Earlier this year, Australia Awards – Nepal supported Dr Dharam Raj Uprety, Thematic Lead: Climate and Resilience at Practical Action Nepal, to attend the 8^th international Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025), through an Australian Professional Opportunity. The conference was held in Otautahi Christchurch, New Zealand, on 13–16 October 2025, hosted by the University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha), in collaboration with regional Oceania and international partners.

Adaptation Futures is the flagship event of the World Adaptation Science Programme. As the leading international climate change adaptation conference series, it brings together more than 1,200 global leaders, scientists, policymakers and innovators to explore solutions for adapting to the world’s most pressing climate challenges. Recognised as the international community’s largest and most influential climate adaptation gathering, the conference serves as a key platform for driving action and collaboration.

Dr Uprety (second from left) with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development team at AF2025.

In addition to the scientific and technical program, AF2025 featured several cross-cutting themes designed to advance climate adaptation knowledge:

• Indigenous innovation: Indigenous leadership and knowledge for transformation; exploring opportunities and limits of adaptation, investigating finance, and addressing loss and damage.
• Cities, settlements and infrastructure: Climate-resilient development solutions for urban governments and communities, climate mobility, and global action.
• Food and water security, oceans, land use, and biodiversity: Promoting ecosystem health, agricultural innovation and the food–water–energy nexus.

During the conference, Dr Uprety attended many plenary sessions, including ‘Beyond adaptation’, ‘Transformational adaptation’, ‘Loss and damage’, ‘Pacific adaptation’ and ‘Adaptation research’. Dr Uprety delivered a presentation about various tools for assessing adaptation and loss and damage in Nepal during the ‘Beyond adaptation’ session, and showcased a poster about Nepal’s landslide early warning system during the poster session. He also actively participated in the ‘Living labs – Beyond adaptation’ session, which visited the earthquake-affected Otakaro Avon River Corridor to explore the science-based approach to restoring this land and returning it to a mix of ecological, recreation, flood protection, water quality and housing outcomes.

A lecturer from the University of Melbourne viewing Dr Uprety’s poster presentation.

In addition to the main conference, Dr Uprety took part in two official side events: a networking event for early career researchers on 12 October, and ‘Navigating Pacific climate adaptation’, a post-conference workshop on 17 October that focused on Pacific adaptation strategies, climate risk exposure and vulnerabilities.

Reflecting on what he learnt from the conference, Dr Uprety says, “The discussions emphasised the central role of Pacific and Indigenous leadership in climate adaptation, highlighting culturally-grounded approaches such as Wananga and Talanoa. Experts stressed the urgency of adaptation as a legal and justice issue, requiring more than technology—social change, community engagement and inclusion are [also] vital. Building trust and transparent governance were deemed essential for collaboration. Finally, creative initiatives like the Climate Arts Outreach program showcased storytelling and art as powerful tools for inspiring climate action.”

Outlining his steps ahead, Dr Uprety says, “I plan to develop a concept note for submission to the Adaptation Fund Board via Nepal’s Ministry of Forest and Environment, the designated focal ministry. [I will also share the] outcomes of AF2025 with Practical Action Nepal and Asia teams. These insights will be integrated into ongoing local adaptation initiatives in Nepal. Additionally, I plan to maintain engagement with contacts established during AF2025, including Australian and New Zealand universities and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reporting efforts.”

Australian Professional Opportunities are learning and development activities funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by Australia Awards.