Hans Sy champions private sector’s role in disaster resilience at UN forum

Carl Magadia·5 June 2025, 7:11 pm·1 min read

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Hans Sy champions private sector’s role in disaster resilience at UN forum — SM PRIME'S Hans Sy (second row from the top, second from the left) joins Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Kamal Kishore (first row, fourth from the left), Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. (second row, first from the right), and world leaders at the Global Platform 2025 organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, set at Geneva, Switzerland from June 2-5.
Photo courtesy of Antoine Tardy

REPRESENTING the private sector, Mr. Sy (third from left) participates in the Global Platform’s Ministerial Roundtable to tackle accelerating disaster risk reduction finance and resilience.
Photo courtesy of SM

AT the Global Platform’s High-Level Dialogue on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) financing solutions, Mr. Sy shares that past experiences give him the drive to consistently invest in resilient infrastructure.

Mr. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in advancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Platform 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Private sector: A key player in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Representing the Philippine private sector during the Ministerial Roundtable on “Accelerating Financing and Resilience: Tailored Solutions for DRR,” Sy underscored the importance of embedding resilience into business strategies.

“Resilience strengthens businesses while safeguarding lives and communities,” he said. “We know the government cannot do it alone. The private sector is ready to do more.”

Sy emphasized SM Prime’s commitment to DRR through strategic investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure and science-based planning. He also cited partnerships like the Adopt-a-City Program with the National Resilience Council and capacity-building efforts with ARISE Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Integrating DRR into core business strategy

Speaking at the High-Level Dialogue on scaling DRR financing, Sy shared insights on what drives private developers to prioritize resilience. He cited SM Prime’s approach to integrating DRR into its core business strategy.

“Disasters may be unpredictable, but the impact doesn’t have to be — we can, and we must, prepare, mitigate, and adapt,” he said.

He cited resilient design features in SM malls, such as elevated structures, rainwater catchment systems, and earthquake-resistant engineering, which have minimized damage and ensured business continuity.

Sy urged the creation of enabling mechanisms to scale up DRR financing.

“Scaling up DRR financing is a combination of policy, incentives, and institutional approaches,” he noted.

“From the standpoint of the private sector, incentives — financial, regulatory, and non-financial — are among the most effective and attractive methods.”

He concluded by emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking to build resilient communities.

“Together, we can embed resilience to build a sustainable and secure future for all.”

Sy’s participation reaffirmed SM Prime’s leadership in climate resilience and its commitment to inclusive, science-based solutions for a safer world.