President Marcos Calls for Increased Climate Finance in ASEAN
President Marcos has urged ASEAN partners to boost climate finance to help the region meet its climate change goals. Speaking at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on May 26, he emphasized that increasing financial support is crucial for the region’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
Marcos highlighted that climate change “is now the most defining and cross-cutting challenge of our time.” He stressed that nearly half of ASEAN’s population is highly vulnerable to climate-related risks, making the issue urgent and widespread. “As one of the most climate-vulnerable regions globally, nearly half of the entire ASEAN population faces significant climate-related risks,” he noted.
Advocating for Evidence-Based Solutions and Regional Cooperation
The President reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to championing scientific and evidence-based approaches in addressing climate change. As the host of the Board of the Fund for Loss and Damage response, the country aims to promote investment-driven and transformative solutions.
Marcos also urged for stronger regional cooperation, recognizing that ASEAN countries often face intense climate impacts. He called on ASEAN’s partners to provide “predictable, accessible, and adequate climate finance” to help the region realize its climate ambitions and protect communities.
“We also call for deeper regional cooperation to address these emerging and transboundary challenges,” he added.
Upholding ASEAN’s Core Values Amid Engagement
Beyond financial support, Marcos emphasized that ASEAN member states should engage regional partners to uphold the group’s core values. “Let me thus urge all Member States to remember that to meaningfully engage our partners, we must advance these values and interests sensitive, of course, to our external partners’ respective strengths and challenges,” he said.
He encouraged the continuation of partnerships not just to expand networks but to promote peace, inclusivity, and shared progress — the defining principles of ASEAN.
Commitment to Combating Trafficking and Maritime Stability
During his address, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to fully implementing the ASEAN Declaration to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons Caused by the Abuse of Technology. He stressed that effective responses require strong cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, and enhanced law enforcement.
Moreover, the President reiterated the urgent need for a legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to protect maritime rights, maintain stability, and avoid misunderstandings at sea.
Supporting ASEAN’s Economic Diplomacy
He also praised Malaysia’s leadership in hosting the Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and welcomed the consensus to avoid retaliatory trade measures. Marcos described this unified approach as a testament to ASEAN’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and a rules-based multilateral trading system.
Summit Participation and Regional Engagement
President Marcos attended the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur alongside key cabinet members, including the Trade Secretary, Communications Secretary, and Mindanao Development Authority chief. He is also set to chair the 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit and participate in the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit as well as the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
These gatherings provide vital platforms for discussing regional developments and shared goals, reinforcing ASEAN’s role in fostering cooperation on climate, security, and economic issues.
For more news and updates on ASEAN climate finance, visit Filipinokami.com.