Foreword

For the past ten years, Asia Development Alliance (ADA) has stood as a cornerstone of progress, fostering collaboration and amplifying the voices of countless local and national organizations across and beyond Asia. We are proud to celebrate this milestone, reflecting on the significant contributions we've made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16+ (SDG 16+) and its focus on creating peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

ADA brings together diverse civil society actors, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective action. As we reflect on our journey, we celebrate the local, national, and regional impacts we’ve achieved.

Promoting Civic Space and Amplifying Voices ADA has been a staunch advocate for civic space—the essential arena where citizens freely express their views, participate in decisionmaking, and hold institutions accountable. Through capacity-building workshops (GALA), advocacy campaigns, and partnerships, we’ve empowered local CSOs to engage with fellow CSOs partners, governments, and the UN institutions ensuring that civil society voices are heard. By promoting an enabling environment for civil society, we’ve contributed to vibrant democracies across Asia.

Strengthening Governance and Institutional Reforms Effective governance is at the heart of sustainable development. ADA has actively engaged with national and regional institutions, through our members in 25 countries advocating for transparency, accountability, and participatory governance. We’ve facilitated dialogues between CSOs, policymakers, and public institutions, leading to policy reforms, legal frameworks, and institutional mechanisms that enhance governance. Our work has contributed to fair and responsive public services, and improved rule of law especially in the areas of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) CSOs spotlights, shadow reports and our statements and yy providing training, facilitating dialogue, and mobilizing communities, we've empowered citizens to actively participate in decisionmaking processes. This has led to a stronger foundation for good governance, ensuring that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the people they serve.

SDG 16+ as a Blueprint for Change SDG 16+ serves as our guiding compass. We recognize its role in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and accountable institutions. Our platform has aligned its initiatives with SDG 16+ targets, emphasizing data-driven monitoring, citizen engagement, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. By integrating SDG 16+ principles into our projects, we’ve catalyzed positive change at local and national levels by writing various policy based advocacy papers , organising side events at regional and global levels. which has translated into tangible results. We've been at the forefront of advocating for a more vibrant civic space in Asia.

Looking Ahead As we embark on the next decade, our commitment remains unwavering. Our impact extends beyond advocacy. We've established robust mechanisms for holding governments accountable. Through independent research, monitoring initiatives, and public awareness campaigns, we've shed light on issues of corruption, human rights violations, and environmental injustice. This has fostered a culture of transparency and accountability, pushing for reforms that create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

The journey hasn't been without its challenges. The Asian landscape is constantly evolving, demanding innovative approaches and unwavering dedication. But through regional 3 collaboration and the unwavering spirit of our members, we've overcome obstacles and emerged stronger. As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to SDG 16+. We will continue to empower civil society actors, transparent governance, and hold institutions accountable, strengthen civic space, and advocate for a more just and inclusive Asia, where all voices are heard and all citizens have the opportunity to thrive.

Our collaborative efforts will amplify the impact of SDG 16+ across Asia, ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we strive for a just, peaceful, and sustainable future—one where civil society thrives, institutions uphold human rights, and communities’ flourish.

Jamila Asanova

Chair, Asia Development Alliance

Celebrating a Decade of Asia Development Alliance's Impact

For the past ten years, the Asia Development Alliance (ADA) has been making transformational changes in Asia's development journey. One major achievement is ADA's strong advocacy work. We have been speaking up through reports and papers, especially about how civil society organizations (CSOs) can be part of important processes like the Voluntary National Review (VNR) and achieving Goal 16+ of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). we've also been teaming up with other groups across Asia and globally to push for these goals.ADA has also been busy organizing events that promote democracy and good governance. we've been hosting forums in cities like Busan, Ulaanbaatar, and Tokyo, highlighting how different SDGs are connected, with a focus on Goal 16+. ADA has been actively taking part in meetings organized by the United Nations, making sure countries in Northeast and South Asia are keeping their promises on the SDGs.

On a global scale, ADA has been a strong voice for Southern CSOs. we've been part of important conferences and reports, teaming up with others to study how Goal 16 is being put into action in different countries.Over the last 10 years, Asia Development Alliance (ADA) has conducted the Glocal Advocacy Leadership Academy (GALA) in multiple countries across Asia, Pacific, Europe, and Africa. GALA equips CSO professionals with skills for SDG implementation, VNR engagement, and human rights linkages. Many GALA trainees have actively participated in HLPFs, enhancing CSO representation and influencing SDG progress. ADA closely monitors VNR processes and facilitates regional and global engagement, contributing significantly to SDG advancement.

Brief history of ADA: Our work and achievement

Asia Development Alliance (ADA) is a regional network of 28 National NGO Platforms (NPF) in 19th countries in Asia. ADA works to strengthen the capacities of members to ensure their effective and efficient participation in achieving the SDGs of Agenda 2030. ADA also advocates for the defense of an enabling environment for civil society organisations in the context of continued shrinking civic space to influence public policy at the national, regional and international level.

ADA is also a regional member of Forus, CIVICUS AGNA, TAP and other global CSO networks and coalitions engaged in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Since its inception in February, 2013, ADA has emerged as a strong network for members, as a credible, legitimate, effective and sustainable institution, actively contributing to building it as an international community with growing membership with a pan-Asia outreach.

As an international CSO learning platform, ADA brings together and strengthens CSO networks at global, regional and national level through joint collaborative efforts on preparing advocacy reports on national VNR process, issues of policy coherence, climate change, producing a tool kit on CSOs engagement in the VNR process, national indicators for goal 16, global report on goal 16 based on national case studies in collaboration with the global platforms like TAP network, Forus etc.

ADA is reclaiming the discourse of development and connecting language, bringing forward diverse opinions of members, prioritizing areas linked to SDGs, deploying civic diplomacy to secure resources for CSO networks and helping in pushing the local agenda and defending the CS space (Central Asia, NE Asia)

In an efforts to localise SDGs , ADA has been organising training and capacity building initiatives called Glocal Advocacy for leadership in Asia (GALA) at regional, sub-regional and national levels, a bottom – up approach to train more than 500 CSO professionals/activists who have been leading their training and advocacy efforts to engage with various stakeholders on SDGs implementation, monitoring and review mechanism at the local levels apart from representation at various platforms. ADA has organised these trainings in Bangkok, Nepal, Cambodia, Bhutan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Kazakhstan etc. to name a few with support from Forus and KOICA, TAP Network and other regional platforms.

Vision: Strong CSO Platforms represent inclusive voices and ensure that citizens enjoy all human rights.

Mission: Strengthening civil, society action through capacitating, communicating, collaborating & coordinating and advocating

Who we work with:

Asian civil society: By Asian civil society we mean firstly our member national platforms, individual CSO members working for achieving the SDGs in their home countries advocating at sub-national, national, regional and global levels, other local level civil society organizations and movements working on human rights, environment and development issues relevant to the SDGs, particularly those of youth, regional and national networks who are challenging the structural challenges in engagements for a just development policies and practices.

Strategic partners: Including but not limited to, international and regional non-governmental organisations, international and regional networks & alliances, funders and non-traditional allies such as artists and art institutions, academia, research institutions, media and advocacy platforms to build solidarity and amplify our strategic interventions for achieving the SDGs, introducing human rights based approach, enhancing civic space for development policy strategy and planning in Asia.1

State institutions and policy makers: Institutions and/or mechanisms for influencing pro SDGs policies and regulations and enhancing accountability at the national level such as Development Planning, Managing and Oversight Institutions (ministries, committees or commissions), likeminded parliamentarians, executives including ministers and officials.

Mechanisms: We facilitate the participation of member national platforms, individual member CSOs, Asian civil society representatives and conduct advocacy with international and regional mechanisms such as the United Nations High Level Political Forum on the SDGs, UN ESCAP Asia Pacific Forum on SDGs, sub-regional Multi-stakeholders Forums on the SDGs, C20 forums...

Diplomatic community, bilateral and multilateral development and financial organizations: Including embassies, missions and international development organizations, development banks and their representatives at international, regional and national level from across the world to influence their agenda, discussions and to achieve outputs in favor of Asian civil society partnerships to contribute in achieving the SDGs in particular the SDG16 with all targets, SDG17.14, SDG17.16 and SDG 17.17 targets in their countries.

The context we work:

External analysis: The current context is characterized by uncertainties and changes, including democratic backsliding, disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging diseases, global financial crises, the worsening climate emergency and environmental degradation, economic recession caused by Russia-Ukraine war and overall shrinking civic space. Whether direct or indirect, all these impact the progress in achieving the SDGs. In response to the challenges Asian governments tend to adopt authoritarian models of governance. This can be observed through the cases in number of Asian countries like Myanmar, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and many others how autocratic regimes come to replace democratic institutions. CSOs in Asian countries face common challenges with the fragile democracy and hostile governments. CSOs access to foreign funding has been restricted by different laws such as the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA) in India, or the Foreign Donation (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act in Bangladesh . It becomes a common trend in developing countries to tighten the regulations on financial transaction and reporting in the name of prevention from terrorist attacks and money laundering. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war are other contributing factors hindering Asian civil society to source and mobilise financial resources for sustainable operations.

Despite these challenges and the context ADA is situated in, we are encouraged by our members and partners’ advocacy work to mobilise for achieving the SDGs, protecting civic space, democratic governance, access to information, the right to participation in decisions for development priorities, demanding accountability and effectiveness from governments to deliver their commitments to sustainable development. A growing number of civil society beyond the ADA membership are equipped to engage with regional and international mechanisms on the SDGs, especially the UN HLPF, in attempts to amplify voices of people by providing firsthand messages of their issues.

ADA will continue its role to encourage and support members to build their capacity for engaging with governments to improve policy coherence for sustainable development (SDG 17.14 target), to enhance global partnerships complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources for achieving the SDGs (SDG 17.16), to monitor and demand the commitments of governments to encourage and promote effective partnerships including civil society partnerships building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships (SDG 17.17).

ADA institutional Focus in 2024 and Action Plan

For the year 2024, ADA proposes two annual projects rooted in transformative research, aligning with ADA’s values, vision, and approach to capacity building and advocacy. Our emphasis this year is on the Strategic Foresight Research Project, with a focus on initiating sub-regional dialogues culminating in ADA's signature forum on SDG16 plus held in person. We also aim to explore the

Finance for Development thematic sphere through collaboration with the Asia Development Bank. In pursuit of this project, ADA is constructing a knowledge pool comprising ongoing projects of public development banks in the Asia-Pacific region. This year we will actively contribute to policy papers and research projects in partnership with ADB.

In addition to these significant endeavors, ADA remains committed to engaging with civil society for partnership opportunities. In the realm of communication, ADA is dedicated to enhancing its digital presence and social media outreach, fostering frequent engagement with the existing audience. Furthermore, throughout the year, we will actively seek suitable proposals and apply for funding to support our initiatives.

Activities of this year

The timeline of this Annual report presented spans from April 2023 to March 2024, showcasing a series of engagements in global initiatives and conferences focused on advancing democracy, sustainable development, and civil society empowerment. Beginning with participation in the 4th Tokyo Democracy Forum, the narrative unfolds with attendance at various events including roundtables on emerging technologies, SDG conferences, and high-level summits such as the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. Notable highlights include the launch of a report on sustainable development, active involvement in the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and collaboration in regional forums addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout the timeline, there is a consistent emphasis on fostering partnerships, advocating for inclusive policies, and amplifying the voices of civil society actors in the pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable future. These engagements reflect a commitment to collective action and collaboration towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals on a global scale.

In the year 2023 we have worked on various levels of capacity building trainings as well as outreach and advocacy events. Brief below

Outreach and Advocacy level

Report Launch- : "Sustainable Development by Shifting the Power: Capacity Strengthening of civil society as a key tool for the Implementation of SDG 17"

This report is a collaborative effort, with contributions from 14 organizations worldwide. You can read it below- https://www.forus-international.org/en/pdf- 9 detail/97880-climate-justice-and-policy-coherence-for-sustainable-development lessons-from-the-Asia-pacific-region

C20 Communique: ADA represented as one of the international advisory committee member of C20 India and made strong voices on the issues of SDG 16 Plus and promoting civic space by proposing this theme to the C20 secretariat which became one of the working groups of C20 India . This is historic as this working group has been established first time in the history of C20. Apart from this ADA also organised a side event with Disability , Equity and Justice working group on Day 2 of the summit and shared the perspective on inclusion and promoting civic space in policy making and agenda 2030 of SDGs.

Civil20 – Suggestions and Recommendations on SDG 16 Plus and Promoting Civic Space by ADA

Civil 20 – ADA White Paper on SDG 16 Plus and Promoting Civic Space

Civil 20 - ADA Policy paper on SDG 16 Plus and Promoting Civic Space in C20 Official Policy Brief

HR & Sustainable Development Conference – Paris (7-8 December, 2023 On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the "Human Rights and Sustainable Development" Conference was organized by the French Development Agency (AFD).

Training and Capacity Building:

SDG16-2023 SDG 16 Plus Forum Asia which is the third initiative of the ADA with its partner organizations to promote the SDG16+ approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda / SDGs and other related issues in Asia and respond to the global challenges based on the Asian experiences in the spirit of global solidarity. It is organized by the ADA in cooperation with JANIC, TAP Network, FORUS, and GCAP.

Invited by the UN ESCAP to provide VNR training to the member states during APFSD- 2024 Read our activities here

• VNR Asia-Pacific Fact sheet for APFSD/APRCEM/UNESCAP- 2024
• SDG 16 Factsheet for APFSD/APRCEM/UNESCAP- 2024
• ADA statement on behalf of NGO Major Group - Informal Consultations with Stakeholders on the Intergovernmental Process for the Declaration on Future Generations - 21st February, 202

ADA in HLPF

ADA was invited to speak during the VNR lab organised by the govt of Timor Leste and the UNDP apart from coordinating with global and regional partners. Apart from presenting the CSO collective statement on regional realities for Asia -Pacific ( representing Asia Pacific Regional CSO Mechanism) we coordinated the VNR CSO Statement as part of VNR Task group of Major Group and Other Stakeholders ( MGOS). ADA members from Mongolia, Vietnam , Cambodia , Thailand , Singapore Uzbekistan also presented CSO statements in response to their respective VNRs and also in other side events . ADA was also invited to be the only CSO speaker representing Forus international during the OECD side event apart from actively participating with the members during the weekend Civil society workshops and other side events.

ADA Governing body

ADA current SC members are now ( 2022-2024)

Jamila Asanova ( ARGO, Kazakhstan)

Urantsooj Gombosuren(CHRD Mongolia)

Linh Nguyen ( MSD Vietnam)

Abdul Awal ( SUPRO Bangaldesh)

James Gomez (Asia Centre,Thailand)

Jay Hung ( Taiwan Aid)

Harsh Jaitli ( VANI , India)

We also thank our advisors Mr Hideki Wakabayashi and Mr Anselmo Lee.

ADA Secretariat

Regional Coordinator,

Dr. Jyotsna Mohan (Jyotsna@ada2030.0rg)

Research Fellow

Qurratul Ayen (Qurratul@ada2030.org)

ADA is hosted by - Asia Centre, 128/183, Phayathai Plaza Building, Fl. 17, Phaya Thai Rd., Thung Phaya Thai Sub-district, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

P. +91 9654440441

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E. info@ada2030.org

We thank CodeNGo (code-ngo.org) for being our financial agency.