18 October 2013 - With unanimous support from the Asian Group, Albay Governor Joey Salceda was elected as Co-chair of the Board of the Green Climate Fund during its 5th meeting held in Paris from October 08 to 10.

Established by the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2011, the Fund is intended to help developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The 24-member Board - now co-chaired by the Philippines and Germany for a term of one year - oversees the operation of the Fund, which has pledges of USD 100 billion by 2020, and approves the funding of projects in line with the Fund's principles, criteria, modalities, policies and programs.

In pitching for his candidacy, Governor Salceda said that the Fund should prompt positive consequences in the lives of ordinary people.

With 2014 as the target for the operationalization of the Fund, Governor Salceda aims to make the Fund work for developing countries, including Small Islands Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Africa, and highly vulnerable communities in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.

Governor Salceda was accompanied by Adviser Bernarditas Muller, his Chief-of-Staff Atty. Caroline Sabio, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)-Region V Director Bernardo Alejandro IV, Mr. Mervin Gutierrez, and representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Paris who all actively campaigned for his seat as Co-Chair.

Governor Salceda's election is a strong expression of confidence in the Philippines and further raises the country's profile in the international community. END