For a stronger national climate resiliency, Philippines to seek broader, results-oriented partnerships

The Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC) convened today "Strengthening Partnerships for Climate-Resilient Philippines," taking stock of existing climate change partnerships and determining ways to optimize these international partnerships for a more climate-resilient Philippines.

Calling it "climate justice in no uncertain terms," CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje  referenced what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said about the Philippines bearing the brunt of climate change, despite having a small carbon footprint.

"It is the responsibility of States responsible for climate change to do more," said Secretary Borje in a statement.

"The CCC will be guided by President Marcos' guidance and vision of building a more climate-resilient Philippines through stronger international partnerships," he added.

Borje led the meeting, which was attended also by Finland’s Ambassador Juha Marku Pyykkö, as well as representatives from the embassies of Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America.

Representatives from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), NDC Partnership, United Nations Development Programme Philippines (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United States Agency for International Development Philippines (USAID), and the World Bank were also present, sharing the status and progress on their climate change initiatives in the Philippines.

As the lead policy-making body of the government on climate change, the Commission recognizes the importance of coordinating and synchronizing climate change programs with national government agencies and other stakeholders, such as foreign embassies and development partners.