12 February 2016 – The Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva held a briefing session for members of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), discussing in particular the priorities of the Philippines as CVF President for the remainder of its tenure until June 2016.

As outlined by Mr. Emmanuel de Guzman, Secretary of the Philippine Climate Change Commission, the Philippines will be galvanizing the early ratification of the agreement reached by the 21st meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris on December 2015; advancing climate finance including through the ministers of finance; and continuing the campaign for achieving the ambitious 1.50C goal, among other priorities.

The briefing session also provided updates on recent important developments such as the adoption of the Manila-Paris Declaration and 2016-2018 Roadmap, which identify key activities such as, for example, enhancing linkages between work on climate change and work in the sectors of human rights, health, migration/displacement, labor, science, agriculture, education, gender, tourism and water.

Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative, welcomed the new members of the CVF, which had increased its membership from 20 to 43 during the current administration of the Philippine government.

The CVF is an organization of developing countries that aim to raise awareness about the negative impacts of climate change and exchange expertise and best practices in addressing climate change. END