Dubai, 1 December 2023 – The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) presented the Southeast Asia Climate Mobility Champion Leader Award to H.E. President Ferdinand Marcos of the Republic of the Philippines at the COP28 Climate Mobility Pavilion in Dubai. Receiving the Award on his behalf were H.E. Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines; and Mr. Anton Lagdameo, Jr., the Special Assistant to the President.
“In the context of the Philippines, we see the complex interlinkages between migration, environment, food security, and rural development – and the factors that determine if people will migrate, including economic factors, environmental degradation, climate shocks and of course conflict,” said H.E. Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines.
The Award was presented at the end of the High-Level Panel “Climate Action for Sustaining Peace” bringing together global leaders at the nexus of climate change, development, and peace to inform why empowering adaptive capacities, resilience, and mobility of frontline communities is a top priority for the international climate agenda. Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga pressed for urgent support to address climate mobility at the sub-regional, national, and local levels as a means to enable people-positive adaptation journeys. Joining the Minister in the High-Level Panel were H.E. Dennis Francis, the President of the UN General Assembly; Ms. Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM); and H.E. Carlos Alvarado Quesada, former President of Costa Rica as the moderator. Together, they explored comprehensive solutions to the challenges posed by climate change, emphasizing the critical role of addressing climate-induced migration and displacement to advance resilience and sustain peace.
“The Global Centre for Climate Mobility is pleased to see the Philippines’ leadership and commitment to advancing people-positive adaptation journeys in Southeast Asia,” said Kamal Amakrane, Managing Director of the Global Centre for Climate Mobility. “We look forward to partnering with the Government to carry forward this important work.”
For more information, please contact:
David Lonnberg, lonnberg@climatemobility.org, +1-347-836-2121
About the GCCM:
The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) is a global partnership to address climate-forced migration and displacement in the world’s most climate vulnerable regions. The GCCM aims to enable positive as well as unprecedented adaptation journeys for people and communities at the frontline of the climate crisis, whether they are staying, moving or deciding to relocate. It is enabled by the United Nations and advanced by champion countries, UN Agencies, the World Bank, and regional organizations with support from philanthropy, civil society organizations and research partners. The GCCM is currently coordinating the implementation of the Rising Nations Initiative, and the regional climate mobility initiatives; the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative, Greater Caribbean Climate Mobility Initiative, and Pacific Climate Mobility Initiative. The GCCM will also act as the secretariat for the Pacific Island Communities Climate Fund.
