Philippines Underscores Urgent Need for Inclusive Disaster Risk Governance at UNDRR GP2025
GENEVA 26 June 2025 — The Philippines presented a strong whole-of society leadership in disaster risk reduction (DRR) at the UNDRR Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 (GP2025) held in Geneva on 04-06 June 2025.
During the Multi-Stakeholder Plenary 1 on Regional Progress on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework and Midterm Review Recommendations, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., head of the Philippine delegation, delivered the Philippines’ national statement, reaffirming the country’s strong commitment to DRR as a national priority and a cornerstone of its sustainable development agenda.
Secretary Solidum underscored the Philippines’ high vulnerability to natural hazards and stressed the urgent need to embed DRR into all levels of governance. He also highlighted the success of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by the Philippines in October last year, which gathered over 12,000 participants in a powerful demonstration of regional solidarity and cooperation.
The Secretary emphasized the importance of advancing collective action in key areas, including science, technology, and innovation; the integration of DRR and climate change adaptation; and strengthened disaster risk governance.
“The Philippines recognizes the transformative role of science, technology, and innovation in DRR,” said Secretary Solidum. “As a leading institution in this endeavor, the DOST has developed GeoRiskPH, the country’s central source of data for hazard and risk assessment, which empowers government agencies and communities to make informed, risk-based decisions. Complementing this is the National Natural Resources Geospatial Database, which integrates environmental and disaster-related data to support risk-informed land use planning and natural resource management.”
The Philippines also highlighted its proactive, community-centered, and inclusive approach to risk reduction as outlined in the National DRR Plan 2020–2030. It called attention to ongoing efforts to strengthen early warning systems, especially for vulnerable and remote communities. Secretary Solidum noted that while significant progress has been made, financing remains a key challenge. He urged increased investments, risk-informed budgeting, and active private sector engagement to sustain momentum.
Reiterating its commitment to regional and global DRR cooperation, the Philippines called for coherent, inclusive, and coordinated action, emphasizing that resilience building must be a shared responsibility—one that leaves no one behind.
The Philippine delegation was composed of representatives from the DFA, DENR, DSWD, and DSWD, with private sector delegates from business, civil society and the academe. END
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