Chiangmai Global Governance Forum (CGGF), Outcomes and Recommendations for Future Action
Introduction
The Chiangmai Global Governance Forum (CGGF), held on January 13-15, 2025, in Chiangmai, Thailand, was organised by the Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD), Asia Development Alliance (ADA), International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS/MIEC) Pax Romana, and the International Youth Training Center (IYTC). The forum brought together civil society organisations (CSOs), experts, and stakeholders to address global challenges, evaluate global meeting outcomes, and strategise collaborative solutions. Key themes included Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate justice, human rights, and economic equity. This report synthesises insights from forum discussions, presentations, and supporting documents to provide actionable recommendations.
1. Core Themes and Objectives
1.1 Economic Justice and Debt Crisis
The forum highlighted the urgent need for equitable economic systems to address the debt crisis plaguing many Global South countries:
- Key Issues:
- Almost one-third of nations prioritise debt servicing over essential services like health and education.
- Debt-driven climate finance perpetuates inequalities, with developing countries bearing undue burdens.
- Proposed Solutions:
- Advocate for a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt to institutionalise transparent debt-resolution mechanisms.
- Mobilise grant-based climate finance to prevent additional debt while addressing adaptation, mitigation, and loss-and-damage needs.
- Reform international financial systems to combat inequality and prioritise sustainability.
1.2 Climate Justice
COP29 outcomes underscored systemic challenges in achieving equitable climate finance:
- Key Challenges:
- Insufficient commitments from developed nations, with reliance on loans exacerbating debt.
- Market-driven solutions, including carbon trading, prioritise profitability over justice and equity.
- Recommendations:
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms for commitments under the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF).
- Push for enhanced transparency in financial disbursements at COP30, with clear benchmarks for adaptation and mitigation funding.
- Advocate for marginalised communities’ inclusion in policy formation and grassroots-driven solutions.
1.3 Human Rights and Civic Space
The forum highlighted the critical importance of preserving civic space and safeguarding human rights:
- Key Challenges:
- Restrictive legislation limiting CSO advocacy in many Asian countries.
- Systemic discrimination against vulnerable populations, including women, indigenous groups, and LGBTQ+ communities.
- Proposed Actions:
- Strengthen Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes to hold governments accountable.
- Advocate for the establishment of independent National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) that align with international standards.
- Enhance regional human rights cooperation through ASEAN and other multilateral platforms.
1.4 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Progress on SDGs remains uneven, with significant gaps in localisation efforts and data collection:
- Focus Areas:
- SDG 16+ (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) as a foundation for equitable governance.
- Improved data mechanisms to track progress and identify implementation gaps.
- Recommendations:
- Integrate SDG localisation into Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to enhance grassroots participation.
- Promote regional partnerships, leveraging platforms like ASEAN to foster cross-border collaboration.
1.5 Youth Empowerment and Regional Cooperation
ASEAN’s youth-focused initiatives were recognised as pivotal to addressing regional and global challenges:
- Key Opportunities:
- Programs like the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 bridge digital divides, empowering youth in marginalised areas.
- Youth engagement in areas like climate resilience and peacebuilding strengthens regional cohesion.
- Next Steps:
- Ensure youth representation in policymaking bodies such as ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit.
- Expand funding for youth-led innovation and advocacy programs.
2. Key Outputs and Outcomes
2.1 Global Advocacy Calendar for 2025
A unified advocacy calendar was developed to align CSO efforts across major global events, including:
- Financing for Development Conference (Sevilla, Spain, June 30 – July 3).
- World Social Summit (Qatar, November 4-6).
- COP30 (Brazil, November 10-21).
- G20 Summit (Johannesburg, November 20-23).
2.2 Pax Jubilee Campaign 2025-2027
This campaign focuses on:
- Advocating for systemic debt cancellation and promoting global economic reforms.
- Mobilising grassroots movements to demand climate and economic justice.
2.3 Advocacy and Mobilization Tools
- Creation of a People’s Scorecard to monitor SDG implementation independently.
- Enhanced regional dialogues to amplify marginalised voices and foster knowledge-sharing.
3. Challenges Identified
- Systemic Inequities in Global Governance: Multilateral institutions remain skewed towards the interests of developed nations.
- Climate Finance Gaps: The lack of predictable, grant-based climate finance leaves vulnerable nations struggling to adapt.
- Shrinking Civic Spaces: Rising authoritarianism and restrictive laws limit advocacy efforts.
- Youth Marginalization: Limited representation in global governance structures undermines their potential contributions.
4. Recommendations for Future Action
4.1 Institutional Reforms
- Advocate for the establishment of a new international financial architecture that prioritises equity and sustainability.
- Push for binding global agreements on tax reform and the elimination of illicit financial flows.
4.2 Climate Justice
- Ensure COP30 delivers robust, enforceable commitments to finance adaptation, mitigation, and loss-and-damage efforts.
- Develop inclusive processes that prioritise the voices of Global South nations and marginalised communities.
4.3 Strengthening Human Rights
- Use UPR processes to address human rights violations and promote civic space.
- Strengthen support for regional human rights mechanisms and advocacy networks.
4.4 Youth and Community Empowerment
- Expand investment in youth-led initiatives and grassroots innovation.
- Foster collaborations between regional organisations and global platforms to enhance local impacts.
5. Conclusion
The Chiangmai Global Governance Forum reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and systemic reform in addressing global challenges. By fostering partnerships, amplifying marginalised voices, and championing transformative policies, the forum set a strong foundation for impactful actions in 2025 and beyond. Continued solidarity, proactive engagement, and accountability will be critical in realising the shared goals of peace, justice, and sustainability.