Duterte stresses urgent need for collective action vs climate change

President Rodrigo Duterte stressed the urgent need for collective action against climate change during the virtual 37th ASEAN Summit, citing the recent devastation caused by Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses in the Philippines.

He highlighted that despite preparedness measures, the typhoons caused significant destruction to infrastructure and property, setting back the country's development agenda.

Duterte emphasized the importance of enhancing disaster risk reduction and management strategies to mitigate damage, particularly in countries highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The President called for strengthened cooperation at both national and regional levels to bolster capacities in facing climate-related calamities.

He urged developed countries to lead in cutting carbon emissions to address the existential challenge of climate change.

The ASEAN welcomed the designation of 2021 as the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation, encouraging collaboration with China in areas like poverty eradication, food security, environmental protection, and climate change.