Hackathon on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Action and Resilience”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a key enabler for climate action and resilience, with applications across the Asia-Pacific region in renewable energy, climate risk prediction, sustainable cities and climate-smart agriculture. While governments are advancing AI through national policies and programmes, many early-stage and youth-led AI solutions remain outside formal institutional channels and lack visibility and pathways for scale-up.

As APCTT primarily works with member States through government-led processes, its engagement naturally focuses on more mature, policy-aligned technologies. This creates a gap in identifying and supporting early-stage innovations emerging from start-ups and young entrepreneurs. Addressing this gap requires complementary mechanisms that directly connect emerging innovators with policymakers, investors, and regional stakeholders.

 In this context, the Hackathon on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Action and Resilience” was organized as a lead-in event to the Technology & Innovation Conclave 2.0. Focusing on SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), the Hackathon provided young innovators from ESCAP member States with a platform to showcase practical AI-based solutions, strengthen technology transfer linkages, and promote scalable innovations for climate resilience across the region.