PH hosts Asia-Pacific disaster conference

The Manila Times

PH hosts Asia-Pacific disaster conference  President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. keynotes the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City Oct. 15, 2024. Hosted by the Philippines, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the APMCDRR serves as the main platform in Asia and the Pacific in monitoring, reviewing and enhancing cooperation for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 — the global blueprint for preventing and reducing new and existing disaster risks in the world’s most disaster-prone regions. The conference brings together governments, intergovernmental, international, national and civil society organizations, the private sector, science, academia and stakeholder groups to accelerate progress in reducing disaster risk. It takes place under the working theme, ‘Surge to 2030: Enhancing ambition in Asia-Pacific to accelerate disaster risk reduction’, which aims to provide an important opportunity to review risk reduction efforts, share innovative solutions and make actionable commitments to accelerate disaster risk reduction by 2030.  Video from RTVM  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel -  vhttps://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net     Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook   Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram   Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter   DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion     Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify   Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts   Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic   Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #themanilatimes #tmtnews  #bbm #philippines

Transcript

00:00♪♪

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00:50Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Republic of the Philippines,

00:55His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

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01:08Thank you very much to our Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary,

01:14Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Lorizaga,

01:18the National Defense Secretary, Gilberto Todoro,

01:21and other Cabinet Secretaries who are here today,

01:25the Assistant Secretary General and Special Representative

01:29to the United Nations Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction,

01:34His Excellency Kamal Kishore,

01:38His Excellency Udut Sengebaw, Sr., Palau Vice President and Minister of Justice,

01:48His Excellency Senbayan Amar Saikan, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia,

01:58Honorable Datu Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia

02:03and Rural and Regional Development Minister,

02:07Ministers and Delegates of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction,

02:14Ambassador Hei Keong Yew and other members of the Diplomatic Corps,

02:19other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

02:26Good morning to you all and a very warm welcome to the Philippines.

02:32We are a nation that is an archipelagic one consisting of over 7,600 islands

02:40and we take pride in our beaches, in our world-class diving sites,

02:45our breathtaking landscape, and all this draws visitors from all over the globe.

02:51But while nature has gifted us with natural wonders,

02:55it also reminds us of its formidable power over and over again.

03:01Unfortunately, our beautiful country is located along the Pacific Typhoon Belt

03:06in the midst of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

03:09We are visited by more than 20 tropical cyclones

03:13and experience around 500 magnitude 4.0 and above earthquakes in one year.

03:19We also have around 24 active volcanoes.

03:24These are compounded by the increasing frequencies of hazards brought about by climate change,

03:29which makes the Philippines at risk and in our landscape,

03:34making our landscape even more complex, our people even more vulnerable.

03:40Much has been said about the resilience of Filipino spirit,

03:44but let us remember that strength was forged out of adversity

03:49over centuries of facing storms and earthquakes,

03:52adapting and rising once again with a renewed vision and purpose.

03:57Just recently, the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat,

04:01enhanced by Typhoon Gaimi, locally known as Carina,

04:05inflicted more than $82 million in agricultural damage.

04:10That figure only scratches the surface.

04:13The true measure of our losses lies in the human cost,

04:17the homes that have been destroyed and have to be rebuilt,

04:20the livelihoods that have been lost that may never come back,

04:24and the lives irrevocably changed.

04:27Resilience and sustainability must underpin the national agenda of our economy.

04:33This recognizes that all our efforts in economic planning are fragile

04:38in the face of calamities and disaster.

04:41For us, the stakes are existential, the consequences generational,

04:47and the policy environment increasingly complex.

04:51However, this narrative is not unique to the Philippines.

04:55Across the Asia-Pacific region, nations like ours grapple with similar trials.

05:01We share a common struggle, navigating the balance

05:04between continued economic growth

05:07and dealing with the ever-present threat of disasters.

05:11The Asia-Pacific region also stands as a testament

05:14to the unwavering spirit of its people.

05:17From the tsunami in the Indian Ocean to Typhoon Haiyan in the Pacific Ocean,

05:22from the earthquakes in Nepal to floods in South Asia,

05:25our nations have conquered monumental challenges.

05:29Still, we remain as the world's engine of growth,

05:33steering the global economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic.

05:37We must strive to create a future where the need for recovery becomes less frequent

05:42as we lay the foundations for a safer, more adaptive,

05:46inclusive, and disaster-resilient region.

05:50So as we convene for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference

05:55on Disaster Risk Reduction, we find ourselves at a critical juncture.

06:00With the theme Surge to 2030, Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific

06:05to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction,

06:08we are now called to lead the global effort to reduce disaster and climate risks,

06:14protect our people, and build sustainable economies.

06:18The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 to 2030

06:23gave the international community profound guidance

06:27in our disaster risk reduction efforts.

06:30Our path now is to redouble and to synergize our efforts

06:34to accelerate its implementation.

06:37It also remains crucial to align our goals under this framework

06:41with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,

06:45the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

06:48and the Paris Agreement.

06:51We must harmonize our approaches and pursue meaningful actions

06:55under these mandates to secure a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

07:00The Surge to 2030 involves key steps.

07:04We must significantly increase our investments

07:08and develop financing mechanisms in disaster risk reduction.

07:13Sustained and predictable data and financing

07:18would help address disaster risk better.

07:21This entails ensuring that developing countries,

07:25particularly the least developed countries,

07:27landlocked countries, and small island developing states

07:30are provided greater access to these resources

07:33to advance their policies and build disaster resilience.

07:38For our part, the Philippines, as a climate champion,

07:41humbly accepts the role as steward of the Board of the Fund

07:45for Responding to Loss and Damage.

07:48This reinforces our commitment to improving the Board's operations

07:53and to contribute to the success of its institutional architecture.

07:58We are hopeful for a fund that will benefit climate-vulnerable countries,

08:03many of whom are in our region.

08:06Equally importantly, we enforce the guidelines

08:09on the issuance of green and blue bonds.

08:13Our green bond market has been recognized by the Asian Development Bank

08:17for its potential to expand even further.

08:21Our country's most promising sectors for growth

08:24comprise renewable energy, green buildings,

08:27sustainable agriculture, and water management.

08:31Given our archipelagic nature and the looming threat of climate change,

08:36investing in the blue bond market is also essential

08:39to ensuring the responsible stewardship of our natural wealth,

08:43the safeguarding of our coastal communities,

08:47and the sustainable growth of industries like fisheries and tourism.

08:52Second, we must embrace inclusion.

08:56Disasters disproportionately impact people,

09:00and they exacerbate existing inequalities.

09:04Building stronger societies requires addressing the needs of the most vulnerable,

09:08the very young, the very old, the sick,

09:12the indigenous peoples, marginalized communities.

09:16We must ensure that every voice is heard

09:19and every person is empowered to contribute to disaster risk reduction

09:24and receives the assistance that they need if the time comes.

09:29Third, we must acknowledge that climate change and disasters

09:33are catalysts for human displacement.

09:36This necessitates forward-thinking policies that create safe pathways

09:40for migration and to support those displaced by disasters

09:45so that they can rebuild their lives with dignity and security.

09:50On our side, we remain steadfast in empowering our local authorities

09:54and working closely with our youth to implement nature-based

09:57and ecosystem-centered solutions that not only address their unique challenges,

10:03but also honor their local traditions and practices.

10:07Fourth, innovation must be at the heart of all our strategies.

10:13Advancements in technology, data analytics, early warning systems

10:17can revolutionize our disaster preparedness and our response.

10:22Fifth, coordination and collaboration are the cornerstones

10:27of our whole-of-nation approach.

10:30By engaging all of our stakeholders,

10:32we ensure that we collectively identify the needs,

10:36address the gaps, and anticipate the risks ahead of us.

10:40And sixth, fostering open dialogue is essential in bringing our sectors together,

10:45promoting both convergence and coherence in our efforts.

10:49As such, we carry out regular assessments, regular critiques,

10:55ensuring that our policies on disaster risk reduction remain consistent and effective.

11:01And seventh, we place great value on the engagement of our private sector,

11:06particularly in advancing investments and practices

11:10in environmental, social, and governance areas.

11:13Through collaborative research, information sharing, and innovative financing,

11:18we continue to strengthen and deepen our partnerships with these key stakeholders.

11:25And finally, we must advocate for stronger international legal frameworks

11:30that guide disaster prevention and response.

11:34The Philippines is proud to lead the initiative

11:37towards developing an international legal instrument

11:41for the protection of persons in the event of disasters.

11:45This endeavor aims to fill critical gaps in international disaster response laws,

11:50uphold the rights and dignity of affected persons,

11:54establish clearer obligations, and enhance humanitarian coordination.

12:00As we chart our course to a more inclusive and resilient Asia-Pacific,

12:05let us draw inspiration from the stories of resilience that are embedded in our region.

12:10From communities that were built after Typhoon Haiyan,

12:14to cities that fortified their infrastructure after earthquakes,

12:18to grassroots organizations that equip citizens with life-saving skills,

12:23we are surrounded by many good examples of what is attainable

12:27when we act with foresight, determination, and purpose.

12:31And finally, this conference presents us with a grand opportunity

12:37to send a powerful message to the world.

12:40The Asia-Pacific is not only prepared to overcome the trials of tomorrow,

12:45we are also ready to lead in disaster risk reduction and climate action.

12:51As you take part in this important conference,

12:54I encourage everyone to experience the beauty and the culture of our country.

13:00You will soon discover that the strength of our nation lies not only in the efficiency of our policies,

13:06but also in the indomitable spirit of our communities and the innate warmth of our people.

13:13I wish you a fruitful and inspiring conference.

13:16Thank you all very much. Good morning.

13:24Thank you, Mr. President.

13:31That concludes our program.

13:32Thank you, Mr. President, for gracing the opening ceremony

13:36of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

13:41Once again, ladies and gentlemen,

13:44the President of the Republic of the Philippines,

13:47His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

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