Philippines elected host of climate disaster fund board - Marcos

The Philippines has been elected host of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Tuesday.

“Hosting the LDF Board reinforces our dedication to inclusivity and our leadership role in ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change shape the future of international climate policies,” Marcos said on X.

He said the Philippines was chosen out of seven other countries.

The Philippines garnered a seat on the LDF Board in December 2023.

The Loss and Damage Fund aims to provide financial assistance to vulnerable countries dealing with the devastating effects of climate change.

Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga earlier said the Philippines is the “most qualified” to host the LDF Board because it is a living testament to the effects of climate change.

“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,” Loyzaga said at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai last December. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/VBL, GMA Integrated News