Legarda urges stronger collective climate action as UN marks 80th anniversary

As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), Senator Loren Legarda, a lifelong advocate for climate resilience and environmental sustainability, stands in firm commitment to working with the UN in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.

“For 80 years, the UN has been the anchor of global solidarity, a platform where humanity’s collective voice gains strength. As we celebrate this milestone, the global community must continue to work together in building a world that is just, resilient, and sustainable,” Legarda emphasized.

Legarda’s commitment to global sustainability is reflected in decades of collaboration with the UN and its agencies, positioning the Philippines as a leader in climate action and disaster risk reduction.

Through her legislative work, she has helped align the nation’s policies with UN environmental goals, championing key laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the Climate Change Act of 2009, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the People’s Survival Fund Act of 2012, a pioneering climate financing mechanism to support vulnerable communities.

“The Philippines is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world, and we have no choice but to lead. Our survival depends on our ability to innovate, legislate, and work with the global community,” she stated.

Beyond legislation, Legarda has played a key role in shaping international climate policies. She spearheaded the first consultative meeting with parliamentarians on disaster risk reduction and helped pave the way for global frameworks like the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and its successor, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Her leadership has earned international recognition, including being named a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Global 500 Laureate, Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific in 2008, and Global Champion for Resilience in 2015 by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). In 2017, she was designated a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Champion by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), further amplifying her role in bridging policy and action.

“Climate action is not a solitary mission. As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, we are reminded that global cooperation is our greatest strength in confronting the climate crisis. Every policy and initiative we champion must be driven by shared responsibility,” Legarda stated.

Legarda has also advanced climate diplomacy, bringing the Philippines to the forefront of international discussions. In 2015, she delivered the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change alongside French actress Marion Cotillard during the visit of French President François Hollande to the Philippines, an appeal that contributed to the successful adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in Paris later that year.

Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the four-term Senator secured funding for the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to support activities leading to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France. The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, is a high-level global platform dedicated to advancing ocean sustainability and implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).

Recognizing the intersection of climate and cultural resilience, Legarda has collaborated with UNESCO to preserve heritage amid climate threats. Speaking at UNESCO’s 37th General Conference in Paris, she underscored the Philippines’ dedication to cultural preservation, education, and disaster preparedness, leading to the establishment of the Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD), a regional hub for knowledge-sharing and sustainability education.

As the UN marks eight decades of fostering global unity, Legarda calls on the international community to reinforce its commitment to multilateralism, emphasizing that climate action, disaster resilience, and sustainability must remain at the heart of global cooperation.

“The UN has provided the platform, but the responsibility to act is ours. For the sake of our survival and the generations yet to come, we must rise to the challenge by legislating with courage and governing with vision,” she concluded.(30)