Village Connect
The Philippines has been selected as the host country for the Board of the Fund for Loss and Damage (FrLD), a critical initiative established to assist nations most affected by climate change.
The move, announced last year during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, highlights the Philippines’ commitment to addressing climate vulnerability and its leadership in climate adaptation efforts. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, the first Executive Director of the FrLD Board, praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his vision and dedication to the Fund’s mission.
In a recent meeting held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Diong described the Philippines’ role as “symbolic,” showcasing the government’s proactive stance on climate action.
The Fund, created under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), pools contributions from developed nations to aid developing countries that face losses due to climate-related disasters. To date, it has received over $700 million in pledges, with a goal of raising $1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
Diong commended the Philippines for its robust inter-agency collaboration, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which presented a comprehensive strategy to access the Fund. During a dialogue, key officials, including DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, outlined a unified approach to integrating climate resilience across sectors.
“Hosting the Board and being part of its governance allows the Philippines to amplify its voice on climate issues while setting an example for other nations,” said Diong. While the Fund has made strides, Diong acknowledged challenges in converting pledges into actionable financing. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism, emphasizing the Philippines’ role as both a recipient and a model of climate leadership.
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