Introduction of Senator Loren Legarda to H.E. Ban Ki-moon | Asian Forum on Enterprise for Society

Honorable guests, distinguished colleagues, friends, ladies, and gentlemen. It is my profound honor and privilege to introduce a visionary leader whose path has so often intersected with the aspirations of the Filipino people.

His tenure at the United Nations, from 2007 to 2016, was marked by a relentless pursuit of peace, a deep commitment to sustainable development, and a passion for uplifting the world’s most vulnerable. Under his leadership, he mobilized world leaders to confront the most pressing challenges of our time: from climate change and economic upheaval to food, energy, and water insecurity, visions that led to the 2007 Climate Change Summit, which decisively placed the climate crisis at the forefront of the global agenda, and the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals, setting a global path toward ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all.

For the Philippines, he has been more than a distant statesman. His leadership has been a source of guidance for our nation. His visit to Tacloban City in the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 is a gesture of solidarity, his genuine act of showing his compassion and resolve in times of great adversity. Our collaboration continued on global platforms, from the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, to the inaugural meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation in The Hague, where I had the privilege of serving as one of the Commissioners.

Last year, the Philippine Senate concurred to the ratification of the Agreement establishing an office in the Philippines for the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), where our keynote speaker currently is the President of the Assembly and the Chair of the Council. This strengthens the Philippines’ access to global support for sustainable, climate- resilient, and inclusive growth.

Our shared advocacy for resilience and sustainable development is strengthened by mutual dedication to causes not only on environmental protection, but also on public health, poverty, gender equality, and human rights.

With his proactive efforts, he guided the United Nations through crises such as the H1N1 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak, leading to the establishment of the organization’s first-ever emergency health mission: the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), setting the standard for international action in public health emergencies.

In advancing equality, he championed the creation of UN Women, which increased women’s representation within the UN, and he actively supported the HeforShe campaign initiative, the first to declare “I am HeForShe” during the launch of the global campaign.

In recognition of his immense contributions to global diplomacy and sustainable development, I had the distinct honor of filing a Resolution to commend his life’s work, which was adopted by the Philippine Senate in 2024.

On a personal note, I have witnessed his warmth and humility up close. The memory of sharing Filipino hospitality with him and his wife, Madame Yoo Soon-taek in my home, a year ago, over a hearty meal of laing, bagnet, tinolang manok, and halo-halo, remains a meaningful celebration of the friendship, collaboration, and mutual respect that unite us.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege and an honor to welcome back to the Philippines a true global citizen, a bridge-builder among nations, and a tireless champion for the world’s most vulnerable.

Please join me in giving the warmest of Filipino welcomes to the eighth Secretary- General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon.