Legarda Heads PHL Delegation to the 26th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Vietnam

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Finance and Climate Change, is the Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) from January 18-21, 2018 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The APPF is a forum that provides opportunities for parliamentarians of the Asia Pacific region to identify and discuss matters of common concern and interest and to highlight them in a global context. It was founded in 1993 by parliamentarians from 15 nations, including the Philippines.

The 26^th Annual Meeting of the APPF, hosted by Vietnam, carries the theme, “Parliamentary Partnership: Peace, Innovation, and Sustainable Development.”

As head of delegation, Legarda will deliver the Philippine Statement and sponsor, on behalf of the country, the “Resolution Calling for Regional Cooperation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.”

“Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation are important concerns of the region especially because the Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world. Aside from our respective governments’ national efforts, there should be regional cooperation particularly in mobilizing stronger and more ambitious climate action in line with the inter-related global frameworks—the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement,” said Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion.

The Senator stressed the critical role of parliamentarians in building disaster and climate resilience through the areas of national legislation, budgetary allocation, oversight of government performance, and in safeguarding the integrity and domestic implementation of international agreements.

“Climate change is a cross-cutting issue—it affects food, water, health, biodiversity, security and development. Failure to address climate and disaster impacts would hold back economic growth and would keep us trapped in the vicious cycle of disasters and poverty,” said Legarda.

Aside from discussing regional development cooperation on the issues of climate change, sustainable development, culture and tourism, the 26^th APPF Meeting will also hold sessions on promoting parliamentary diplomacy for peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world; combatting international terrorism and trans-border crime; regional economic integration; food security and agricultural sustainable development; and supporting the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital age.