PASAY CITY, Philippines, 03 December 2024 – As the selected host country, the Philippines hosts this week the 4th board meeting of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FrLD) Board. The FrLD is designed to support climate-vulnerable developing countries.

Following the recently concluded 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the FrLD Board will meet from December 2 to 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). It will convene the Board members, alternate Board members, advisers, observers, and the Interim Secretariat from 44 countries.

Philippine Department of the Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga welcomed the FrLD Board by expressing the country’s pride in hosting the board meeting: “Hosting the Board is a responsibility we take seriously. As one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, we are acutely aware of the urgency in translating frameworks and commitments into tangible actions. Our goal is to support the Board in advancing decisions that ensure the Fund is accessible, equitable, and impactful.”

The Secretary noted that the Philippines remains committed to multilateralism. “We cannot stress enough the need for a multilateralism that is vibrant, strong, and inclusive — convinced that multilateralism remains the only viable platform for collective action against transcendental challenges such as climate change,” she added.

In their speeches, Co-Chairs of the FrLD Board Richard Sherman and Jean-Christophe Donnellier thanked the Philippine Government for the speed in which the country was able to accomplish in hosting the Board and preparing for the meeting in less than 6 months. They also gave their thanks for the great hospitality and arrangements accorded to them.

Key discussions will focus on operationalizing the Fund through a bottom-up country-led approach that promotes and strengthens national responses to loss and damage. Early interventions in 2025 and 2026, the establishment of the new, dedicated, and independent secretariat of the Fund and its budget, as well as additional rules of procedure and observer policy, are also on the agenda.

On 12 November, Day 2 of COP29, the Philippines represented by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga and Co-Chairs of the FrLD Board Richard Sherman and Jean-Christophe Donnellier formally signed this groundbreaking agreement for the Philippines to host the FrLD Board.

Established by COP27 in 2023 and formally operationalized by COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2024, the FrLD aims to channel funds to support the loss and damage needs of climate-vulnerable developing countries. It is governed and supervised by a Board of 26 members representing an equitable and balanced representation of all Parties. The Secretariat headed by Ibrahima Cheikh Diong as its first Executive Director. As of November 2024, a total of USD 731 million has been pledged to the Fund by 26 contributors. #