Australia and the Philippines unite to accelerate Climate Action and Disaster Resilience

January 30, 2025
Group photo of attendees gathered around a large blue "SHIELD" sign at an event.

 

PASIG CITY, Philippines — More than 200 leaders and experts from the Australian and Philippine Governments, civil society, local communities, and development institutions came together to discuss the practical ways to mobilize financing and accelerate climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Philippines. 

"Australia is working hand-in-hand with Philippine national and local governments to develop strategies and drive actions that build lasting resilience - critical to reducing the impacts of disasters and climate change," said Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Moya Collett.

At the 2nd Annual Stakeholders Forum, hosted by the Australian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), national and local leaders and partners committed to key actions, including:

  • Developing the Philippines Resilience Index, which will measure disaster resilience, inform local decision-making, and guide policy implementation;
  • Streamlining the operations of the People's Survival Fund to ensure funding for local climate change adaptation projects;
  • Enhancing the capacity of local governments to design and implement risk-informed investments; and
  • Establishing accessible and localised climate and disaster-related data systems.

These efforts are being implemented through the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities Against Disasters and Climate Change in the Philippines (SHIELD) program, supported by the Australian Government and implemented by UNDP. The program covers 10 provinces and two regions in the Philippines, among the most vulnerable to climate change.

"UNDP places climate action and disaster risk resilience at the heart of the Country Programme Document 2024 – 2028 for the Philippines. Together with the Australian and Philippine Governments, we are delivering concrete, on-the-ground actions through the SHIELD program,” said UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jrhighlighted the critical role of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). “Amid a vast sea of research information, a pivotal element to building disaster and climate resilience lies not in just building the science, but in widespread and general purpose access and use of the products and services of science — are we truly leveraging this potential? STI must narrow the gap between urban and rural resilience divide and purposely leave no one behind.  Through the SHIELD Programme, I have full trust that we will demonstrate this aspiration.”

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan noted the importance of local resilience actions. "The DILG envisions locally-driven resilience. It is within the very communities we serve that the most impacts are felt, and so it is where we should focus our recovery and transformation resilience efforts must begin. I encourage more local champions and concrete actions of our local governments.”

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno underscored the need for clear policy direction. The country's resilience agenda entails collaboration and partnerships. This forum provides a platform to connect with diverse stakeholders and ensure the coherence of our policies and strategies will enable faster and timely support to vulnerable communities.”

Together, Australia and the Philippines are taking bold steps to address the pressing challenges of climate change, with a shared commitment to empowering communities and creating a more resilient future.

 

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SHIELD is a multi-year partnership covering 10 provinces and two regions in the Philippines that are among the most vulnerable to disasters and climate change impacts. It is implemented by the UNDP Philippines and consortium partners: Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), National Resilience Council (NRC), Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), and United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat), together with government partners: the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), with generous support from the Australian Government.