MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. advocated for a “united effort” among nations on Wednesday (Manila time) to address climate change.
Marcos said in his debut speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly that climate change is “the greatest threat affecting our nations and our peoples.”
“There is no other problem so global in nature that it requires a united effort, one led by the United Nations,” he said in a speech that lasted over 20 minutes.
Marcos stated that despite the Philippines being one of the smallest contributors to CO2 emissions, the country remained to be among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“The effects of climate change are uneven and reflect an historical injustice: Those who are least responsible suffer the most. The Philippines, for example, is a net carbon sink, we absorb more carbon dioxide than we emit. And yet, we are the 4th most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change,” he said.
Marcos stressed the importance for nations to “correct” injustices by accepting their share of responsibilities.
He also enjoined industrialized countries to fulfill their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement to “cut their greenhouse gas emissions, provide climate financing and technology transfer for adaptation for the most vulnerable, and developing countries to lead by example.”
“We look forward to concrete outcomes at the Conference of Parties in Egypt later this year,” he said.
Marcos stated last June that he was seriously considering attending the UN Climate Change Conference’s 27th session of the Conference of the Parties in Egypt in November of this year.
Marcos also committed that the Philippine government would continue to do its part to avert what he described as a “collective disaster.”
“When future generations look back, let them not ask why we did not take this opportunity to turn the tide, why did we continue in our profligate ways, until it was too late? This threat knows no borders, no social class, nor any geopolitical consideration. How we address it will be the true test of our time,” he said.
A few days before traveling to the US, Marcos spent his 65th birthday in a tree-planting activity in San Mateo, Rizal on September 13 as part of efforts to boost environmental awareness.
The tree-planting program is expected to help the government’s National Greening Program, which is the country’s most comprehensive reforestation program to date.
Marcos also vowed in his first State of the Nation Address on July 25 to increase the Philippines’ use of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, geothermal, solar, and wind to help slow down the effects of climate change.
Marcos’ working visit to the US is from Sept. 18 to 24.
Marcos arrived in the US on Monday (Manila time) and met with the Filipino community in New Jersey before attending the New York Stock Exchange Economic Forum on Tuesday (Manila time).
