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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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