Legarda Joins Ban Ki-moon, Bill Gates-Led Global Commission on Adaptation

In her continuing advocacy to advance climate resilience, especially of the Philippines and other climate-vulnerable nations, Senator Loren Legarda has accepted the invitation to be a Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA).

The GCA is headed by former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Bill Gates, and World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva and was formally launched today, October 16, 2018, at The Hague, Netherlands. Its managing partners are the Global Center on Adaptation based in Rotterdam, Netherlands and World Resources Institute (WRI) based in Washington, D.C.

The GCA aims to create a bold strategic vision for adaptation. It will be a catalyst for large-scale, transformative action and partnerships to help vulnerable countries and communities become more resilient, address extreme poverty, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We have so little time remaining to ensure that we limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. While nations strive to achieve this goal through deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, we must ensure that adaptation to climate impacts that are already being felt and will soon come, is equally prioritized. We need to elevate the importance of adaptation,” said Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion.

“I am honored to be among the Commissioners of the Global Commission on Adaptation and I will do everything in my capacity to ensure that the Commission delivers on the expectations of the vulnerable and the poor,” she added.

Seventeen (17) convening countries and more than 20 global Commissioners representing all regions of the globe and all sectors of development and industry were introduced at the event by Dr. Patrick Verkooijen, Chief Executive Officer of the Center.

Legarda was officially announced as one of the Commissioners. Among other Commissioners are: President Hilda Heine of the Republic of Marshall Islands; Prime Minister Keith Claudius Mitchell, Government of Grenada; Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen of The Netherlands; Minister Gerd Müller of Germany; Minister Li Ganjie of China; Minister José Antonio Meade of Mexico; Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris; Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami; UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa; Global Optimism Chair Christiana Figueres; UNEP Executive Director Erik Solheim; and WRI President and CEO Dr. Andrew Steer.

Commissioners were chosen for their track record of global leadership on major issues, commitment, and ability to advance the GCA’s work. The Commissioners are expected to engage with global leaders and decision-makers on adaptation; provide strategic direction and technical input on the GCA’s flagship report; and guide development and implementation of action tracks, which may lead to new adaptation initiatives, coalitions and programs.