Philippines qualified to host climate disaster fund board, DENR's Loyzaga says

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that the Philippines is “most qualified” to host the board of the climate disaster fund called “Loss and Damage Fund” because it is a living testament to the effects of climate change.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Loyzaga made the remark during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai wherein the Philippines is seeking to host the Board of Loss and Damage Fund, as well as have a seat in the inaugural Board of the Fund.

The chief of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that the country aims to advance the values of its biodiversity and oceans as the source of nature-based solutions to the climate crisis and to serve as the foundation for inclusive and resilient development.

“In our country, we have taken concrete actions by implementing policies and initiatives to reduce emissions by catalyzing investments in our rich sources of renewable energy, enhancing resilience, advancing right-skilling and social protection, especially for the most vulnerable, to achieve a just transition, and mainstreaming climate considerations into our development plans and budgets,” Loyzaga said.

“We are right now in the final stages of completing our NAP [National Adaptation Plan] and NDC [Nationally Determined Contributions] Implementation Plan as our guides to investing in secure and sustainable future. We have also actively engaged in advancing climate action, disaster risk reduction and resilience-building efforts across the Asia-Pacific region and with ASEAN,” she added.

She also emphasized that the Philippines has an abiding interest in promoting equitable and just rules in the governance of the global commons through its national footprint in the history of negotiations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, as well the High Seas or BBNJ [Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction] Agreement.

“Our commitment to multilateralism, strengthened international cooperation and global solidarity remains steadfast, recognizing that no single country can tackle the complexities of climate change alone,” Loyzaga said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier said that allowing the Philippines to host the Loss and Damage Fund would symbolize inclusivity and will also ensure that the needs of the countries most affected by climate change would be addressed.

Loyzaga said the Philippines is prepared to offer knowledge if given the opportunity to host the Fund’s board.

“We are already host to UN entities, international and regional organizations, providing us the institutional capacity, expertise and partnerships to ensure the successful hosting of the Board. And we stand ready to offer our knowledge grounded in our long history and culture of human resilience,” she continued.

She also urged world leaders to start moving forward with courage, unity, and determination towards a more resilient, equitable, sustainable, and prosperous global community, and asked them to set aside differences for the sake of the “planet and all peoples.”

Loyzaga said a sustainable and resilient future for the next generations can only be secured through collective actions. —KG, GMA Integrated News