We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Advocates call for climate emergency in Mindanao
PMCJ urged the local governments in Mindanao to strengthen the capacity of localities to deal with the impacts of climate change, provide adequate shelter to displaced communities, and review current disaster prevention and response programs......»»
ABAC Philippines backs collaboration call
ABAC Philippines has expressed its support for collaboration among private sector business leaders from the 21 APEC economies. Following the recent ABAC meetings in San Francisco, ABAC Philippines is committed to maintaining dialogue and providing critical recommendations to APEC leaders. The aim is to address the multifaceted challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and advocate for sustainable economic growth, innovation, and inclusivity. ABAC has proposed initiatives to promote accessible open markets, trade, digital innovation, and a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. The council also emphasizes the importance of addressing artificial intelligence and climate response, aligning with fairness, inclusion, and environmental stewardship. ABAC Philippines plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration on climate resilience, energy stability, and long-term investments. The meeting concluded with the handover of the chairmanship to ABAC Peru, which will focus on regional economic integration, sustainability, and human development in 2024......»»
Indigenous peoples’ groups call for independent probe of the human rights situation in PH
"The visit of Special Rapporteur Ian Fry marks a critical moment in bringing our fight for climate justice and human rights to the international level." The post Indigenous peoples’ groups call for independent probe of the human rights situation in PH appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Greenpeace ship to tour Philippines to amplify call for climate justice
The Greenpeace ship is scheduled to make stops in Tacloban City in Leyte, Salcedo town in Eastern Samar, Bohol Province, and Manila throughout November......»»
5 climate change adaptation projects worth P540.3M given the nod
The People’s Survival Fund Board approved at least five climate change adaptation projects, endorsed by the Climate Change Commission amounting to P540.3 million, geared toward increasing the adaptive capacity of local government units to climate change adaptation. Robert E.A. Borje, the CCC Vice-chairperson and executive director, welcomed the latest development in the country’s fight against climate change. “The PSF Board’s approval of these five projects signals a pivotal message on the value of advancing adaptation measures at the local and community level, especially at a time when risks and challenges posed by climate change demand immediate and urgent actions,” he underscored. Borje cited Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, the PSF board chairperson, for his leadership and commitment to advancing the objectives of the survival funds. “I also thanked the PSF Board members for their sustained effort and collaboration throughout the review and evaluation, and field validation exercises, which led to CCC endorsement and PSF Board’s project approvals,” he said. The submissions of LGUs from the PSF Board-issued Call for Proposals from February to April 2023 are included in the five projects. Borje said adaptation interventions to be implemented by LGUs include the establishment of climate field schools for farmers, flood protection, river ecosystem management, installation of solar-powered pumps, and mangrove rehabilitation. “With the benefits to be provided by these projects, the PSF will be able to demonstrate effective and sustainable practices on local climate actions, championing the resilience of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change,” he added. The PSF Board approved a Php 2-million Project Development Grant or PDG for the Municipality of Besao, Mountain Province to undertake project preparatory activities such as hydrological and geotechnical studies to establish the rationale of the LGU’s adaptation intervention. The projects’ approval enabled 17 LGUs to receive support from the PSF and its PDG. Among the previously approved projects are from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur; Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; Gerona, Tarlac; Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte; Sarangani Province; and San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu. Borje noted that the CCC, in coordination with the Department of Finance, is working on further streamlining the accession of PSF through enhancement of the processes entailed by project proposals from submission until the approval stage. The PSF was institutionalized in 2012, through the Republic Act 10174, which amends the Climate Change Act of 2009—to include the provision of long-term finance streams to enable the government to effectively address the problem of climate change. It aims to enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate change. The CCC is likewise mandated to conduct the Climate Rationale Review and Evaluation or CRRE of project proposals submitted for PSF, convening the National Panel of Technical Experts to look into the climate rationale of projects. The CRRE process takes into consideration the historical and present data, ensuring that projects are fit-for-purpose and responsive to specific climate risks and vulnerabilities of an LGU. The post 5 climate change adaptation projects worth P540.3M given the nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market
Meta on Wednesday reported that its quarterly profit more than doubled from last year's figure as it looks ahead at a volatile ad market and lawsuits accusing it of profiting from "children's pain." "Meta earnings looked pretty good," said independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "They have clearly cut back on the bleeding surrounding their metaverse efforts and the company appears to be on a more even keel right now." The tech giant said it made a profit of $11.6 billion as ad revenue climbed 23 percent to $34 billion when compared to the same period a year earlier. "We had a good quarter for our community and business," said Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The number of people using Facebook monthly rose slightly to 3.05 billion in a year-over-year comparison while monthly active users of Meta's "family" of apps was 3.96 billion a 7 percent increase from the same quarter in 2022, the company reported. Meta said it had trimmed costs, with layoffs and other belt-tightening measures started last year providing "greater efficiency." Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate and Apple's data privacy changes, which allowed users to block ad targeting, the pillar of Meta's business. Meta's vow of austerity on spending brought an unprecedented round of cost-cutting that saw the company lay off tens of thousands of workers since last November. Meta shares, which closed the formal trading day down, fell more than three percent further in after-hours trades to $289.50. Chief financial officer Susan Li said during an earnings call that Meta is seeing "volatility" in an ad market that started to soften when the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. "It's hard for us to attribute demand softness directly to any specific geopolitical event," Li said. "We have seen broader demand softness follow other regional conflicts in the past, such as in the Ukraine war, so this is something that we're continuing to monitor." Lawsuit peril Analyst Enderle maintained that Meta is at risk from lawsuits poised to damage its image and its wallet. Dozens of US states this week accused Meta of profiting "from children's pain," damaging their mental health and misleading people about the safety of its platforms. "In seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its Social Media Platforms," argued a joint lawsuit filed in federal court in California. The states accused Meta of exploiting young users by creating a business model designed to maximize time they spend on the platform despite harm to their health. In total more than 40 states are suing Meta, though some opted to file in local courts rather than join in the federal case. Meta said the states were singling it out unfairly instead of working with social media companies to develop universal standards for the whole industry. "This landmark lawsuit could herald a seismic shift in how social media platforms approach product features and user engagement," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Jeremy Goldman. "That said, even as tech stocks face uncertainty, Meta's consistent performance cements its leadership in the digital realm." Meanwhile, the European Union is seeking details on measures Meta has taken to stop the spread of "illegal content and disinformation" in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The AI race The tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race. "I'm proud of the work our teams have done to advance AI and mixed reality with the launch of Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and our AI studio," Zuckerberg said in the earnings release. The second-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses made in a partnership with EssilorLuxottica have a starting price of $299. "Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let AI assistants see what you're seeing and hear what you're hearing," Zuckerberg said. Meta has taken a more cautious approach than its rivals Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google to push out AI products, prioritizing small steps and making its in-house models available to developers and researchers. "The majority of the world's population will have their first experience of generative artificial intelligence with us," Meta chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth told AFP in a recent interview. Meta recently unveiled AI-infused chatbots with personalities, along with tools for creating images or written content using spoken prompts. The post Meta quarterly profit jumps but it sees volatility in ad market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden says Xi meeting in November ‘a possibility’
US President Joe Biden said Friday he may meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November as Washington and Beijing push to reset ties, but added that nothing is scheduled yet. The leaders of the rival powers have not met in person or spoken for nearly a year, and tensions have mounted as an increasingly assertive China and the United States vie for global influence. "There has been no such meeting set up, but it is a possibility," Biden told journalists after reports that they were set to meet during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. Biden is set to host leaders from across the region on November 16 and 17 in the California city, and speculation has mounted that it could be the venue for a rapprochement. The White House had begun making plans for a meeting on the sidelines of the summit in a bid to stabilize relations, The Washington Post reported, quoting one official as saying it "it's pretty firm." Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit Washington at some point ahead of the APEC summit. Beijing however has not confirmed whether Xi will attend the summit or meet with his US counterpart. The White House has also declined to elaborate on a potential meeting with Xi. 'Disappointed' The last time Biden and Xi met was in November 2022 on the sidelines of a summit in Bali. Their talks were surprisingly cordial but relations then froze over again, and there has not even been a phone call since. Biden had said last month he was "disappointed" that Xi was not attending a G20 summit in New Delhi. He added that he was "going to get to see him," although he did not elaborate. Tensions between the United States and an increasingly assertive China have mounted as the world's two largest economies push for diplomatic, military and economic influence. Bilateral ties face a long list of problems, from trade disputes to Taiwan's future to the expansive Chinese presence in the South China Sea. But the United States has been working to restore a more effective working relationship, sending a series of senior officials to China in recent months despite continuing friction. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and China's Wang met in the Mediterranean island nation of Malta in mid-September in the latest attempt to reach out. The APEC forum will be a key test of whether their efforts are working, as the Asia-Pacific region is one of the main theaters where Beijing and Washington are going head-to-head. Biden has also been pushing to show that international groupings like the G20 and APEC can still deliver on problems including the economy and climate -- even when China is not involved. The post Biden says Xi meeting in November ‘a possibility’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
'Let Justice Flow in Mindanao. Uphold the Rights of Nature and Peoples'
Mindanao Sakay-Lakad-Layag (SaLakYag) 2023 continued, with more civil society organizations joining the caravan in amplifying the call to pass the Rights of Nature bill and Declare a Climate Emergency.Three more PMPI Clusters have launched their SaLakYag journey on 3 October 2023. Civil Society Organizations from CABUSTAM (Cagayan, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Mala.....»»
COP28 will include first local climate summit
A summit for non-national authorities will take place during crunch UN climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, officials said Tuesday, in recognition of the role of cities and local governments in averting ecological disaster. Named the "COP28 Local Climate Action Summit," it was announced on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the president-designate of the COP28 talks, and billionaire philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, who will co-host. Its chairs include US climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, with the event to be held December 1-2. "Cities are where the climate battle will largely be won or lost," said United Nations chief Antonio Guterres in a statement. "Mobilizing and equipping local governments with the capacity and financing to accelerate climate action is necessary if we are to bend the emissions curve." In the fight to prevent climate disaster and hold long-term warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, the pledges and policies of national governments have long hogged the spotlight. But, according to a report by the C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, "three-quarters of C40 cities have outpaced their respective nation-states in per-capita emission reduction, illustrating the clout of city-led policies and initiatives." Around 70 percent of the world's people are expected to call cities home by the year 2050, and more work needs to be done to ensure subnational governments are prepared to meet the challenges of increasing climate disasters, organizers said. "By bringing hundreds of local leaders to COP28, we will foster new, multi-level partnerships to help fast-track the energy transition, fix climate finance, focus on people, lives and livelihoods, and make sure local voices are heard at the international climate table," said Jaber. Local leaders first convened informally on the sidelines of COP21 in 2015, where the Paris Agreement was adopted. "In the climate crisis, big leadership comes from small governments, and that's a great trend," Oscar Soria, campaign director for the nonprofit Avaaz, told AFP. "However, it also shows the lack of leadership from national governments, who are ultimately the ones that set the tone on ambition and progress on climate." The UN's first official progress report on climate published earlier this month concluded the world is perilously off course in meeting goals for slashing carbon pollution and boosting finance for the developing world. The post COP28 will include first local climate summit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The vital role of ASEAN
The ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership is more important than ever. We face tests as far as the eye can see — from the climate emergency to a global cost-of-living crisis, raging conflicts and growing poverty, hunger, and inequalities. All these challenges are aggravated by rising geopolitical tensions. There is a real risk of fragmentation — of a Great Fracture in world economic and financial systems, with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence and conflicting security frameworks. I commend ASEAN for your vital role in building bridges of understanding all over the world. ASEAN has played an extremely important role as a center that convenes all those that, unfortunately, represent the most dramatic divisions in today’s world and these series of summits is a demonstration of that fundamental convening role of ASEAN. And we need it in a world that is increasingly multipolar and that requires strong multilateral institutions to go with it — based on equity, solidarity and universality. I am grateful for your steadfast support for multilateral solutions and your contribution of over 5,000 peacekeepers from ASEAN countries. ASEAN’s convening power, commitment to dialogue and experience in conflict prevention are crucial pillars of stability. Today, tensions remain high from the Korean Peninsula to the South China Sea. I am grateful to ASEAN member states for your pursuit of dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution, rooted in the respect for international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Since we gathered last year, the situation in Myanmar has further deteriorated. Brutal violence, worsening poverty and systematic repression are crushing hopes for a return to democracy. The conflict is exacerbating existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by women and girls, including sexual violence, forced marriage and human trafficking. More and more people are crossing borders in a desperate search for safety and protection and the situation is untenable. Over one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh, in the world’s largest refugee camp. And, regrettably, the conditions for their safe, voluntary and dignified return are not yet in sight. Much more is needed. My call to the military authorities of Myanmar is clear: Free all detained leaders and political prisoners; open the door toward the full restoration of democratic rule. We must also end our assault against the planet. ASEAN ranks amongst the most biodiversity-rich regions — and is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. We can still limit the worst impacts and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. ASEAN is uniquely positioned to be a leader of an energy transition that is global, sustainable, just, inclusive and equitable. I commend ASEAN member states that are pioneering Just Energy Transition Partnerships like Indonesia and Viet Nam. And I commend all who are accelerating the phaseout of coal and jumpstarting a fair and inclusive renewables revolution. But greater ambition is needed still — along with much greater support. Developed countries must finally deliver on their commitments to developing countries. Resources are also central to rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals. I have called for deep and structural changes to make global frameworks — including the Bretton Woods system — more representative of today’s economic and political realities and also more responsive. Such change will not happen overnight — and I have proposed concrete steps we can take now, including an SDG Stimulus of US$500 billion a year to the benefit of developing countries for them to be able to reach the Sustainable Goals. This and other action would catalyze SDG progress and help developing economies invest in key transitions across energy, food systems, digital, education, health, decent jobs and social protection. I count on ASEAN member states to help raise global ambition in the vital months ahead. And you can always count on my wholehearted support to shape a future of peace and prosperity for the people of Southeast Asia and the world. *** Excerpts from the UN Secretary-General’s remarks at the ASEAN-UN Summit, 7 September 2023. The post The vital role of ASEAN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fintech firms see ideal Phl market
The Philippines is being looked at by financial technology companies as a key test market to expand their reach in Southeast Asia due to the unique character of the population which are predominantly well versed in English and familiar with technology but are mostly immersed in poverty and are unbanked. Delegates from the Singapore Fintech Association, or SFA, recently expressed interest in exploring business opportunities during a courtesy call on the Board of Investments, or BoI. The Singapore mission sought information about the investment climate, regulations, investment opportunities and government support for companies in the fintech industry. Heading the delegation, Reuben Lim, chief operating officer of the SFA, pointed out that the Philippines is being recognized as an emerging investment destination and market for fintech companies. “We are now looking into the Philippines, as we are seeking to expand in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s success depends on its neighbors’ success,” Lim underscored. Delegates expressed optimism in the potential of the Philippines, wanting to find more business opportunities. In particular, Bato Purev-Ochir, head of sales and solutions, expects a number of potential clients in the Philippines. According to Executive Director Evariste Cagatan of the BoI’s Investments Promotion Services, the Philippines is an ideal investment destination for fintech. Highlighting the country’s thrust towards digital transformation and our world-class talent, she described the country’s demographic sweet spot for young, creative, technology-savvy and cost-efficient English-speaking workforce. She also shared that while the country’s fintech industry is nascent, it is fast growing and very promising. “The Philippines is gaining traction due to the fast-growing use of mobile banking in the country, the enabling regulatory environment, and the high number of unbanked and financially underserved Filipinos, which represent around 70 percent of the adult population.” The post Fintech firms see ideal Phl market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rice price spike offers preview of climate food disruption
A 15-year high in rice prices, prompted by top exporter India's restrictions on overseas sales, should be a wake-up call on how climate change can disrupt food supplies, experts say. Rice prices jumped 9.8 percent in August, bucking decreases in other staples, the Food and Agriculture Organization said last week. That followed the July decision by India, which accounts for 40 percent of global rice exports, to ban the overseas sale of non-basmati rice. The government cited soaring domestic prices for the staple, caused by geopolitics, the El Nino weather pattern and "extreme climatic conditions." This year is expected to be the hottest in human history, and the impacts of the seasonal El Nino weather pattern could make conditions even harsher. Despite severe flooding in parts of northern India, this August was the country's hottest and driest on record. The monsoon season that brings up to 80 percent of the country's annual rain has been far below normal levels. India's July restrictions followed a decision last September to ban exports of another variety of rice that is a staple in parts of Africa. Up to eight percent of global rice exports for 2023/24 could now be taken out of the market, according to analysis by BMI, Fitch Group's research arm. - Drought fears - For now, the crisis offers an opportunity for India's rivals, including number two and three exporters, Thailand and Vietnam. Both have increased exports this year, with Nguyen Nhu Cuong, an official with Vietnam's agriculture and rural development ministry, touting a "bumper crop" and plans to increase planting. But the dry conditions that tend to accompany El Nino mean smooth sailing ahead is unlikely, warned Elyssa Kaur Ludher, from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's Climate Change in Southeast Asia program. "My question is whether they can continue to do this once El Nino comes into force towards the end of this year, when water becomes more scarce," she told AFP. "I think the end of this year and especially the beginning of next year will be very, very tough," she added. A naturally occurring weather phenomenon, El Nino typically lasts nine to 12 months and is expected to strengthen late this year. Even before India's latest restrictions, its effects were boosting rice export prices, according to BMI. And in Thailand, national rainfall levels are currently 18 percent lower than expected for the time of year, the Office of National Water Resources said this month. Late rains could still make up the difference, but the agency said it is "concerned about a drought caused by El Nino." - 'New normal' - The consequence is one of price rather than supply, said Charles Hart, agricultural commodities analyst at Fitch Solutions. "This is not a running out of rice moment," he stressed, noting India's restrictions have not been followed by other exporters. Instead, the situation is likely to force the drawdown of stocks rebuilt after pandemic-era depletions, and prompt importers to seek new deals and impose local limits. Top importer the Philippines this month signed a deal with Vietnam to help stabilize supply, days after announcing a national price cap. For some though, unaffordable prices amount to the same as a lack of supply: less food. "It's not just a food availability issue, but it's also a social stability issue, it's a political issue," said Ludher. The current disruptions should be a wake-up call for policy-makers, she added, with more attention needed to the plight of farmers across various sectors. Climate change can affect productivity, with lower crop yields as temperatures rise, but also increases the likelihood of extreme events like the 2022 Pakistan floods. "Global grain export markets are relatively concentrated, so that kind of extreme weather risk accumulates in a few markets," Hart added. In India, policymakers need to develop better early-warning systems and new planting patterns, said Avantika Goswami, a climate change researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment. "Erratic weather patterns are the new normal," she told AFP. "Now, it's a case of early adaptation. In the long-term, global emissions have to come down." burs-sah/ssy © Agence France-Presse The post Rice price spike offers preview of climate food disruption appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom
The government and private sector need to collaboratively launch a nationwide effort to push for the adoption of science-backed artificial intelligence or AI to help communities and businesses keep up with the rapid technological advancement. In an interview with reporters last Friday, Dr. Sanjay Sarma, CEO, president, and dean of the Asia School of Business or ASB, reiterated that AI is developing at an unprecedented pace and will be everywhere soon. “AI can potentially replace jobs so let’s accept that. The Philippines should become the country that leads the world in how to use AI, in call centers, for instance,” Sarma told reporters. “Here in the Philippines, it has to be a national effort. The government needs to be cognizant that this is an epic moment. It's like, you know, climate change is going to damage the environment, it will hurt a lot of people. This is technology change is just like climate change,” he said. Unlike other technologies such as automated teller machines or ATMs, which took about 15 years to be widely accepted, AI is a development that needs urgent adoption. Like ATMs, which previously raised concerns about replacing the job of bank tellers, AI will help industries develop further. “Bank tellers did not lose their jobs. Bank tellers did something more advanced, which is selling mortgages and things like that. The job changed because of technology,” he explained. Thus, in blending in with the changes brought about by AI, Sarma proposed that local industries like the business process outsourcing sector should upgrade more into becoming a technology space. “At this level, you have to go up because the attack comes from below. It's like a tiger, you know, it's chasing you, You climb a tree, and the tiger learns to climb the first 10 feet, well, you have to climb higher. So you have to go higher up in the cognitive stock to go higher,” he said. To complement the benefits of AI, Sarma noted that the local service industry workers, for instance, have to do the things that technology cannot. “For example, this Chat GPT cannot negotiate with you, can't do any planning, can't do dispute resolution. It can't calm an angry customer. So you have to figure out what the technology can do and what humans can do, that the technology can't. And you're to develop human capital in those directions.” Sarma is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a leading authority in AI, the Internet of Things, and Education. ASB, established in 2015 by Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, aims to be a premier business school that develops transformative and principled leaders who will contribute to the advancement of the emerging world, particularly in Asia. Last July, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked the Congress and Palace to consider creating an agency that will oversee responsible AI use in the country. Barbers cited that at least 520,000 employees across different industries may be affected by the integration of AI. In March, he filed a bill eyeing to create the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority, which will serve as an AI monitoring body tasked to supervise the “development and deployment of AI technologies.” Primarily, it will ensure compliance with AI ethics principles and guidelines and protect the “rights and welfare of individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.” The post Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
G20 to the last mile
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. These two words capture a deep philosophy: The world is one family. This is an all-embracing outlook that encourages us to progress as one universal family, transcending borders, languages and ideologies. During India’s G20 presidency, this has translated into a call for human-centric progress. As one Earth, we are coming together to nurture our planet. As one family, we support each other in the pursuit of growth. And we move together toward a shared future — one future — which is an undeniable truth in these interconnected times. The post-pandemic world order is very different from the world before it. There are three important changes, among others. There is a growing realization that a shift away from a GDP-centric view of the world to a human-centric view is needed. The world is recognizing the importance of resilience and reliability in global supply chains. There is a collective call for boosting multilateralism through the reform of global institutions. Our G20 presidency has played the role of a catalyst in these shifts. In December 2022, when we took over the presidency from Indonesia, I had written that a mindset shift must be catalyzed by the G20. This was especially needed in the context of mainstreaming the marginalized aspirations of developing countries, the Global South and Africa. The Voice of Global South Summit in January 2023, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the global South. Further, our presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African union as a permanent member of the G20. An interconnected world means our challenges across domains are interlinked. This is the midway year of the 2030 agenda and many are noting with great concern that the progress on SDGs is off-track. The G20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on SDGs will spearhead the future direction of the G20 toward implementing SDGs. In India, living in harmony with nature has been a norm since ancient times and we have been contributing our share toward climate action even in modern times. Many countries of the global South are at various stages of development and climate action must be a complementary pursuit. Ambitions for climate action must be matched with actions on climate finance and transfer of technology. We believe there is a need to move away from a purely restrictive attitude of what should not be done, to a more constructive attitude focusing on what can be done to fight climate change. The Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy focus on keeping our oceans healthy. A global ecosystem for clean and green hydrogen will emerge from our presidency, along with a Green Hydrogen Innovation Center. In 2015, we launched the International Solar Alliance. Now, through the Global Biofuels Alliance, we will support the world to enable energy transitions in tune with the benefits of a circular economy. Democratizing climate action is the best way to impart momentum to the movement. Just as individuals make daily decisions based on their long-term health, they can make lifestyle decisions based on the impact on the planet’s long-term health. Just like Yoga became a global mass movement for wellness, we have also nudged the world with Lifestyles for Sustainable Environment. Due to the impact of climate change, ensuring food and nutritional security will be crucial. Millets, or Shree Anna, can help with this while also boosting climate-smart agriculture. In the International Year of Millets, we have taken millets to global palates. The Deccan High Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition is also helpful in this direction. Technology is transformative but it also needs to be made inclusive. In the past, the benefits of technological advancements have not benefited all sections of society equally. India, over the last few years, has shown how technology can be leveraged to narrow inequalities, rather than widen them. For instance, the billions across the world that remain unbanked, or lack digital identities, can be financially included through digital public infrastructure. The solutions we have built using our DPI have now been recognized globally. Now, through the G20, we will help developing countries adapt, build, and scale DPI to unlock the power of inclusive growth. That India is the fastest-growing large economy is no accident. Our simple, scalable and sustainable solutions have empowered the vulnerable and the marginalized to lead our development story. From space to sports, economy to entrepreneurship, Indian women have taken the lead in various sectors. They have shifted the narrative from the development of women to women-led development. Our G20 presidency is working on bridging the gender digital divide, reducing labor force participation gaps and enabling a larger role for women in leadership and decision-making. For India, the G20 presidency is not merely a high-level diplomatic endeavor. As the Mother of Democracy and a model of diversity, we opened the doors of this experience to the world. Today, accomplishing things at scale is a quality that is associated with India. The G20 presidency is no exception. It has become a people-driven movement. Over 200 meetings will have been organized in 60 Indian cities across the length and breadth of our nation, hosting nearly 100,000 delegates from 125 countries by the end of our term. No Presidency has ever encompassed such a vast and diverse geographical expanse. It is one thing to hear about India’s demography, democracy, diversity and development from someone else. It is totally different to experience them first-hand. I am sure our G20 delegates would vouch for this. Our G20 presidency strives to bridge divides, dismantle barriers, and sow seeds of collaboration that nourish a world where unity prevails over discord, where shared destiny eclipses isolation. As the G20 president, we had pledged to make the global table larger, ensuring that every voice is heard and every country contributes. I am positive that we have matched our pledge with actions and outcomes. The post G20 to the last mile appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM urges ASEAN to call on developed nations towards climate change action
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments to climate change at the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates. During the intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit Plenary on Tuesday, Marcos said that climate change is the most urgent threat to the region's progress as the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. He added the impacts of climate change are already being felt in the form of more frequent and intense storms, floods, and droughts. "At COP28, ASEAN must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments," Marcos said. "These commitments include climate finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building. We need these resources to prevent, mitigate, manage, and adapt to the impacts of climate change," he added. Marcos also said that the Philippines will continue to prioritize international cooperation that will make ASEAN climate-smart and disaster-ready. He said that the country will work with its neighbors to harness the transformative potential of the agricultural sector to ensure food security for future generations. "The continued effectiveness of our Community-building efforts rests on a clear assessment of our strengths," Marcos said. "The Philippines will continue to champion for change that will strengthen our institutions, improve our decision-making, and uphold ASEAN Centrality." COP28 is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023. In light of the Philippines' vulnerability to disasters, Marcos emphasized the country's commitment to fostering global collaboration. He stressed the importance of initiatives that enhance ASEAN's resilience to climate change and disasters, with a particular focus on the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. The post PBBM urges ASEAN to call on developed nations towards climate change action appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday underscored the strength of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a regional organization and its commitment to regional integration. In his intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits here, Marcos Jr. said that ASEAN is poised to improve its macroeconomic fundamentals in the face of a prolonged geopolitical and socio-economic challenge. "With a projected growth rate of 4.9 percent next year and a steady rise in intra-ASEAN trade and foreign direct investment inflows, ASEAN is well-positioned to weather the storm," he said. Marcos Jr. also reiterated the Philippines' commitment to maintaining ASEAN as a competitive and integrated regional economy. He told the leaders that his administration's integration efforts include facilitating a rules-based multilateral trading system that is "open, free, and fair." Marcos Jr. also called for more concerted efforts to address the impact of climate change, which he said is the most urgent threat to ASEAN's progress. "At the upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), ASEAN must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments," he said. "Their commitments that include climate finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building, in order to drive ASEAN's capabilities to prevent, mitigate, manage, and adapt to the impacts of climate change," he added. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference from November 30 until December 12, 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai. Marcos Jr. also announced that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026. "We will fortify the foundations of our Community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter," he said. "We will count on the support of fellow Member States and continue to work with our partners to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, and to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region," he added. During the 43rd ASEAN Summit opening remarks earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the regional bloc must work harder, become more solid, bolder, and more agile in order to achieve its goal of becoming an "epicentrum of growth." He also called for the development of a long-term technical plan that is relevant and in line with the hopes of the people, not only for the next five years but for the next 20 years until 2045. Widodo also stressed the importance of ASEAN centrality, saying that the bloc must be the "primary driving force" in shaping the region's external relations. He said that ASEAN must work with other partners in the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and prosperity. "ASEAN is a large ship, and we have a major responsibility towards the hundreds of millions of people who are sailing together on it," Widodo said. "Despite having to sail through a storm, we as ASEAN leaders must ensure that this ship can continue to sail." In addition to the ASEAN leaders, the summit will also be attended by representatives from dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, India, and Australia. The post PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep
Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday, beginning the first papal visit to the vast Asian nation landlocked between China and Russia. The 86-year-old pontiff's trip through Monday to the Buddhist-majority nation is a gesture of support for the tiny community of Catholics numbering about 1,400. The Argentine pontiff left Rome at 1640 GMT Thursday bound for the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, arriving Friday morning local time following a nine-hour journey. He was greeted by a line of Mongolian honor guards in traditional blue, red, and yellow attire and foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg. Aboard the papal plane soon after take-off, Francis described the vast, sparsely populated country of Mongolia as one that "can be understood with the senses." Asked by a journalist whether he found diplomacy difficult, the pope answered: "Yes, you don't know how difficult it is. "Sometimes you need a sense of humor." The nine-hour flight passed over Chinese airspace and the pontiff, following custom, sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping, bearing "greetings of good wishes" to him and the Chinese people. "Assuring you of my prayers for the well-being of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace," he wrote. The voyage -- Francis' second to the region in a year after a September trip to Kazakhstan -- is geopolitically strategic. It is seen as encouraging Mongolia's fragile democracy and potentially helping the Church make inroads with the country's more powerful neighbors. "This is a clear effort of the Holy See to take care of Central Asia and not abandon it to Russia or China," Michel Chambon, a scholar of Catholicism in Asia, told AFP. The visit -- Francis' 43rd voyage in his decade as head of the Catholic Church -- is also crucial in keeping the door open for improved Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow, which have yet to offer the Pope an invitation. "It's a way to not give up, to remind them 'I'm here!'" Chambon said. "It's a way not to just stay in Rome and wait for things to happen but to jump in." Stamina test The trip will be a stamina test for the pope, who continues to travel widely despite undergoing a hernia operation in June and pain in his knee that has forced him to use a wheelchair. After a day of rest, the pontiff's itinerary on Saturday includes a welcome ceremony, meetings with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, and a first address to authorities, diplomats, and members of civil society. He will meet the Catholic community -- which includes just 25 priests and 33 nuns, only two of them Mongolian -- later Saturday in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Its circular nave resembles a "ger", the Mongolian nomads' traditional tent dwelling. The Jesuit pope addresses an interreligious meeting Sunday, where the rector of Ulaanbaatar's Russian Orthodox Church is expected to be present with a delegation, and later presides over a mass inside a newly built ice hockey arena. Pilgrims from nearby countries are expected at the mass, the Vatican said, including from Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Not taking sides Once part of the empire of Genghis Khan, Mongolia is dependent on Russia for energy imports and on China for the export of its raw materials, primarily coal. But while toeing a neutral line with its powerful neighbors, it has engaged in a "third neighbor" policy, strengthening relations with other nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, for balance. That makes Mongolia potentially helpful for Vatican relations with both Beijing and Moscow. The Holy See last year renewed a deal on the thorny issue of bishop appointments with China, and Francis has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia. Francis may use his trip to the former Soviet satellite state, a democracy since just 1992, to hammer home democratic principles. A major coal industry corruption scandal provoked street protests in December, eroding public trust amid a weak economy, high inflation, and major gaps between rich and poor. Chambon, a fellow at Singapore's Asia Research Institute, said Francis may take a page from last year's Kazakhstan visit, during which he warned authorities they have a responsibility to govern well. "The pope is not taking sides but is really putting politicians in front of their responsibilities," Chambon said. "'Who are we serving, are we honest, are we caring for the poor and marginalized, are we taking care of the entire nation in its religious and ethnic diversity?' "He plays the games but he asks the hard questions." Francis, who plans in October to publish an update to his seminal 2015 "Laudato Si'" a global call to action for the environment, will also likely bring attention to the impact of climate change on Mongolia's ecosystems. Together with mining and overgrazing, rising temperatures and their effects are fuelling desertification across swathes of the country. Severe cold, flooding and drought have killed off herds on the vast grasslands, forcing nomads who make up one-third of the population to migrate to Ulaanbaatar, now surrounded by shantytowns inhabited by displaced herders. The post Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR renews call for multisector partnerships to achieve disaster resilience in Phl
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga renewed her call on the private and public sectors to forge stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration to implement risk-informed and inclusive actions that will enhance the country’s resilience. “The DENR is committed to supporting everyone in implementing informed and inclusive action and facilitating investments for climate and disaster resilience through multi-stakeholder partnerships. These partnerships have a vital role in playing and accelerating an integrated, inclusive, and transformative resilience agenda,” Loyzaga said. She emphasized that although the Philippines has made significant progress in the fields of disaster risk reduction and climate action, it still remains one of the most vulnerable countries to natural and man-made hazards, as well as the impacts of climate change. Citing the key findings of the Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Loyzaga said it showed that the increases in the frequency and intensity of climate and weather extremes worldwide have had “widespread and pervasive effects on ecosystems, people, settlements, and infrastructure”. These climate change impacts have been attributed to human activities. The IPCC report further stated that with increased global warming, climate change threats to cities, communities, and critical infrastructure will increase significantly in the mid- and long-term, particularly in areas already exposed to high temperatures, near coasts, or with high vulnerabilities. She cited anew the importance of collaboration with the other members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and all other sectors in the transformation towards adaptive and inclusive governance and resilient communities, in view of the linkage between human development, economic development, natural hazards, climate change, biodiversity, water, and health. "Our course of action must be unified and this can only be done by understanding the interdependence between our social, engineered, and natural systems. This interdependence has given rise to multiple and dynamic complexities, and we need to constantly balance our evidence-informed decisions, policies, and our actions," Loyzaga pointed out. "Leadership and governance are integral parts of resilience in building a system, and a network of decisions that lead to specific outcomes and impacts that we would all like to achieve," she added. As a testament to its continuing commitment to build disaster resiliency and environmental sustainability through multistakeholder partnerships, the DENR recently launched the latest initiatives under Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement) in the municipality of Abucay and Balanga City in Bataan. Under Project TRANSFORM, The DENR will implement the Mangrove Adoption and Protection Project in Abucay in partnership with San Miguel Foundation Inc. and Samahan ng Mananahong ng Sitio Bakawan. Meanwhile, the same initiative in Balanga City is in partnership with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Tinig ng Mandaragat. Mangrove forests are natural barriers that reduce the force of incoming waves and storm surges and also serve as a breeding for fish, crabs, and other marine species. DENR’s Project TRANSFORM engages the whole of society in implementing initiatives to alleviate poverty, improve community resilience, and promote public-private partnerships. Pilot sites of Project TRANSFORM in Visayas are in Ormoc City, Leyte launched on 18 January, and in Luzon with the municipalities of Limay, Mariveles, and Orion in Bataan province on 9 May, followed by the municipalities Malimono, San Francisco, and Burgos in Surigao del Norte in Mindanao launched on 23 June The post DENR renews call for multisector partnerships to achieve disaster resilience in Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoTr: Pro-pedestrian projects in pipeline
The Department of Transportation or DoTr said Thursday that it will cut the country’s car dependency by implementing transit-oriented developments to create compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, and mixed-use communities centered around train systems and other public transport hubs. “We aim to break Filipinos’ dependence on private cars for mobility. We are pushing this multi-sectoral approach to urban development through our transport projects,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the Asia Real Estate Forum. “We have to subscribe to the concept of creating walkable communities that reduce the need for driving and high energy consumption. We aspire to make a positive change to the lives of Filipinos through our transport projects,” he added. Bautista pointed out that the concept will reduce high energy consumption and help in the fight against climate change. Private money needed However, due to the plan’s capital-extensive nature, the Transportation chief also reiterated his call for the private sector to pitch in. “These projects require massive funding. We have turned to the private sector for investment collaboration. On many occasions, the keen interest displayed by private investors in our projects manifests their financial viability while remaining primarily public service initiatives,” he explained. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration has a renewed commitment to Public-Private Partnership. Last March, the National Economic and Development Authority bared the government’s P9-trillion flagship infrastructure program, part of which will be funded by the private sector. NEDA said the government targets to build 194 infrastructure projects, of which, 23 projects were conceptualized by the current administration while 71 were carried over from the previous Duterte administration. The post DoTr: Pro-pedestrian projects in pipeline appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOH belies alleged spike in respiratory diseases in Batangas City
The Department of Health on Sunday denied claims that there was a reported increase in the number of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases linked to emissions from liquefied natural gas power plants in Batangas City. In an interview with Daily Tribune, Dr. Voltaire S. Guadalupe, head of the DOH-Center for Health Development Calabarzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health, said that there were no reported increases in both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Batangas City. “We’d like to clarify. That is not the statement from the Department of Health. For the lack of a better term, I am not sure how they want to be addressed, the ‘lobbyists’ did claim that there is an increase in the number of respiratory diseases,” Guadalupe said. “But as for our official data from the Department of Health as reported by the local government reports, [based on] the tally of consultations, there is no noticeable increase in diseases – whether respiratory or not in Batangas City,” he added. He continued: “To say things briefly, there is no increase or noticeable difference in trends in the number of respiratory diseases or other diseases, so we cannot link the establishment as of this time.” Last week, a multisectoral group composed of medical, and legal practitioners, and environmentalists, along with residents from Batangas City called on the Department of Health to conduct a full-blown investigation into the hazardous effects of LNG power plants in Batangas City. Citing a report from the Batangas City Health Office, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice said there is a reported increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases due to exposure to emissions from LNG power plants in the province of Batangas. There are at least six LNG power plants in the country, five of which are located in Batangas. The five communities that host these facilities are Ilijan, Malitam, Sta. Rita Karsada, Tabangao Ambulong, and Tabangao Aplaya. PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera said at least 4,000 residents from the affected barangays in the province of Batangas have complained about difficulty in breathing. Over the weekend, the DOH-CHD Calabarzon said it had started its investigation into the reported spike in cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Batangas City. “Upon directives from DOH Secretary Teodoro ‘Ted’ Herbosa, we have launched an investigation to validate the reported increase in cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Batangas City in collaboration with the City Health Office,” said DOH Calabarzon Regional Director Ariel Valencia. Valencia said the department would look into other relevant documents such as the baseline data on air and water quality in the area, as well as the health of the affected communities. He also noted that a team from the department had paid a courtesy call to Batangas City Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha-Mariño, and visited at least two power plants in Batangas City. “Initially based on the pooled data of morbidity and mortality cases from the city health office, we have not yet seen any link to power plant operations,” he said. The claim was supported by Guadalupe, stressing that the department could not say now whether there is a link between the alleged increase in respiratory diseases to the operations of power plants in the area as the power plants they have visited -- Linseed Field Corp., and Excellent Energy Resources Inc. – are not yet operating. “We cannot say that there will be any associated diseases because the plants are not yet operating,” he said. “We saw data from several years back, approximately five years back, and we did not see any increase aside from the fact that there is a seasonal variation for flu which is accepted,” he added. Guadalupe stressed that over the past years, the number of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases in Batangas City had decreased. “With regards to the operations of the power plants, in truth, we can see a decreased in the number of cases of respiratory diseases,” he said. The post DOH belies alleged spike in respiratory diseases in Batangas City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»