While disasters occur universally, their impacts are felt disproportionately.

The risks and consequences of climate change-induced disasters are significantly more pronounced in developing countries.

Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) is implementing various projects to strengthen the "adaptation" capacities of partner nations, both at the institutional and grassroots levels.

Climate change adaptation projects involve refining government policy frameworks and supporting local communities in implementing strategies tailored to their specific conditions especially where climate hazards like floods, droughts, erosion, and heatwaves threaten safety and livelihoods.

For highly vulnerable areas, the core necessity lies in a system that diagnoses "what is at risk and to what extent" and the capacity to link these findings to policy, budgeting, and field execution.

The KDS Global Climate Change Department supports climate resilience through.

1. Systematically assessing regional climate risks.

2. Developing actionable adaptation plans and specialized tools.

3. Enhancing the response capacity and awareness of stakeholders and residents to ensure field application and scalability.

Case 1. MKCF: Climate-Resilient Landmine/UXO Action and Awareness in the Mekong Region (CPGFM)

In the Mekong region, the remnants of past conflicts landmines and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) remain widely buried, threatening resident safety, restricting regional development, and causing environmental degradation such as soil pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Climate change exacerbates these dangers increased flooding and erosion shift or expose buried explosives, heightening risks and further limiting land use.

Furthermore, traditional clearance activities can cause environmental loss through deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Collaborating with international partners like UNDP Vietnam and ARMAC (ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center), KDS investigates the nexus between UXO risks and climate/environmental hazards across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

• Integrated Risk Mapping. In Vietnam, we are developing a "Climate-UXO Integrated Risk Map" for local communities.

• Low-Carbon Mine Action. We are designing low-emission clearance activities to support the establishment of "National Mine/UXO Action-Environmental Standards."

• Regional Cooperation. Through data-sharing platforms (dashboards) and Mekong-Korea conferences, we facilitate the regional scaling of these innovative, eco-friendly safety models.

Case 2. KOICA Vietnam: Provincial Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building

While Vietnam has established its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), the institutional mechanisms for field execution still require refinement.

Specifically, local governments lack the climate risk assessment tools necessary to predict and prepare for risks tailored to their unique regional contexts.

Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) is spearheading a project focused on "Provincial Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building" targeting the central government and two provinces (Quang Tri and Lam Dong). The project structure includes.

• Policy Reinforcement. Strengthening climate adaptation policies at both central and provincial levels.

• Advanced Assessment Tools. Developing risk assessment tools based on the IPCC international framework that are user-friendly for policy officers and integrated with existing information systems.

• Customized Consulting. Providing high-level expertise from Korean specialists to bridge the gap between central policy and provincial execution.

• Public Engagement. Enhancing daily climate resilience through community campaigns and the distribution of educational materials.

KDS Insight

In the era of climate crisis, adaptation is about simultaneously building "field-level responsiveness" and "institutional sustainability." Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) will continue to contribute to the climate resilience of partner nations by combining data-driven risk diagnosis, actionable planning tools, and strategic capacity building.