23 February 2015 – As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), the Philippines will focus on activities that will help raise awareness about the adverse impact of climate change on vulnerable countries in order to strengthen cooperation among the most affected countries and further rally international support for action against climate change.

This was announced by Climate Change Commission Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering during a meeting with representatives from CVF member-states that was held in Geneva on February 12. The Climate Vulnerable Forum is a group of 20 countries that face the greatest challenges from climate change, with diverse membership ranging from coastal states prone to flooding and those affected by severe drought.

Among the activities that the Philippines will pursue are the strengthening of partnerships with expert bodies, like the World Meteorological Organization, to enhance local skills and knowledge as well as exchange information and experiences among countries in similar situations; the engagement of other sectors, including finance, in addressing climate change; and the tightening of linkages with other areas of cooperation affected by climate change, such as disaster preparedness and response.

The Philippines assumed chairmanship of the CVF from Costa Rica during the UN Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru in December 2014.

Other members of the CVF are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam. END