By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for continuing to lead global efforts to promote climate resilience and sustainability, especially in vulnerable nations like the Philippines.
Marcos welcomed Ban during the latter’s courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
“I am glad that you continue this very important work…. What you are doing—sustainability—is key to the survival of my country, considering we are so vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” the President told the former UN chief.
Ban thanked Marcos for the warm reception and expressed hope that the Philippines would swiftly recover from the onslaught of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan, which battered provinces across the country.
The former UN secretary-general visited the country to participate in the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue (TPSD) in Makati City on Monday, calling on the international community to extend support to the Philippines and other climate-vulnerable nations amid increasingly destructive natural disasters.
Joining the President during the meeting were Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Presidential Communications Office, acting Secretary Dave Gomez, and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Almojuela.
Meanwhile, Ban was accompanied by the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa, former Korean Ambassador to Australia and Jeju Peace Institute President Kim Bonghyun, and former Permanent Representative of the ROK to the UN Kim Sook.
During their meeting in February 2024, Marcos Jr. welcomed the continued support of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), where Ban serves as president and chairman of the council.
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