Legarda Highlights LGU-Driven and Gender-Responsive Adaptation in Largest Gathering of Adaptation Practitioners in Asia-Pacific

Straight from The Hague, Netherlands where she was launched as among the commissioners of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA), Senator Loren Legarda is set to participate at the 6^th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum, the primary and biggest gathering of adaptation experts in the region, jointly hosted in Manila by the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines, Republic of Palau, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from October 17-19, 2018.

On October 17, at the plenary session, “Local Governments at the Forefront,” Legarda, via a recorded message, will share her insights on drawing evidenced-based lessons from successful local climate actions that enable resilience in human and social systems.

On October 18, the Senator will deliver a presentation on the session, “Gender-responsive Approaches for Adaptation,” which aims to discuss gender perspectives on climate change and disaster displacement, with a view to identify gender-based barriers and blind spots in major policy processes of adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

“Adaptation is foremost local because our people in the communities endure the worst of climate impacts. Our local government units are therefore crucial in inciting local climate action that is inclusive and participatory to all gender, age, culture, and populations,” Legarda said.

“This gathering of adaptation experts and practitioners is a learning experience. It serves as a platform to give insights and be aware of effective adaptation measures, which we can hopefully adopt or replicate in our respective countries,” she added.

Legarda is among the more than 1,000 climate scientists, public and private officials, members of the academe, civil society, development sector, and media from over 60 nations who will share knowledge and discuss urgent adaptation solutions to build resilience against climate change impacts.

This year’s forum, which started in 2010 as the flagship event of the Asia-Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), carries the theme, “Enabling Resilience for All: Avoiding the Worst Impacts.” It is structured on four thematic workstreams, focusing on resilience-building of: (i) social and human systems; (ii) natural systems; (iii) industry and the built environment; and (iv) island communities.

“Resilience is the goal of adaptation and our best chance for survival. Beyond all these talks, I hope, that we take bold action in ensuring that we pass on a world that is genuinely resilient for our children and future generations,” Legarda concluded.