Songdo, South Korea, 09 July 2024: At the ongoing second meeting of the Board of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, the Philippines was elected as the host country of the Board, a recognition of the country’s unwavering support and commitment to multilateralism and to the mission of the Loss and Damage Fund (L&D Fund) as a critical pillar in global climate action.
The Philippines’ bid won over seven other contenders. As the host of the Board of the Fund, the Philippines will continue to concretely contribute to the fast and seamless operationalization of the L&D Fund, particularly by ensuring that the meetings of the Board are successfully held and supported.
The country’s bid was strongly supported and prioritized by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. and crafted through a whole-of government approach led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Climate Change Commission, Department of Justice and the National Economic Development Authority.
President Marcos warmly welcomed the development, stating “I am proud to announce that the Philippines has been elected to host the Loss and Damage Fund Board, out of seven other contenders. We are also honored to have a seat on the Board itself, ensuring that the Philippines will be a formidable voice in promoting and advancing global climate action—an issue of critical interest to the country. Hosting the Loss and Damage Fund 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.”
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga stated that “This is a welcome development for the Philippines as one of the countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The Loss and Damage Fund is a long-fought struggle to directly assist those who bear the greatest impact of climate-induced losses and damage to recover and build. We take on this responsibility in solidarity with all countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo said that “The Philippines is greatly honored to have been chosen to support the Board in this manner. The trust and responsibility placed on us is much appreciated in a bigger context of our collective efforts to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. We are committed to achieving the objectives of the Loss and Damage Fund.”
The Fund is mandated to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to economic and non-economic loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events.
The Board is composed of 26 members from Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, with 12 members from developed country Parties and 14 members from developing country Parties.
The Philippines is a member of the Board, occupying one of three seats for Asia-Pacific States. The Board member representing the Philippines is Atty. Mark Dennis Joven, with Board Adviser Ms. Leila Lora-Santos. ###
