President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said climate change is “the most defining and cross-cutting challenge of our time” during his address to the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. He noted that ASEAN is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, with half its population facing significant climate risks.
Marcos, whose administration hosts the Loss and Damage Fund Board, pledged to continue advocating evidence-based, investment-led and transformative climate solutions.
He also appealed to other countries for stronger financial support to help Southeast Asian countries to address climate change.
“In this regard, we urge ASEAN’s partners to scale up predictable, accessible, and adequate climate finance to enable ASEAN to realize its climate ambitions and safeguard the future of our communities,” he said.
The Philippines is hit by nearly 20 typhoons annually, with eight to nine making landfall and inflicting widespread damage to economies, livelihoods and families.
In 2024, the country hosted the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, convening delegates to share mitigation strategies.
In 2023, former DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga announced the Philippines had secured a seat on the Loss and Damage Fund board; a year later, the country was elected to host its board.