By Brian Campued
The Philippines, as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, is bolstering regional cooperation on loss and damage to address the impacts of climate change-related disasters across Southeast Asia.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Juan Miguel Cuna underscored the importance of cooperation to identify gaps in responding to natural calamities.
“What ASEAN is doing with regard to this is pushing for stronger coordination and collaboration among ASEAN member states and also pushing for the sharing of resources and technical expertise,” Cuna said in a press release Wednesday.
“There’s a study on loss and damage… which aims to be able to assess the readiness of the different ASEAN member states to deal with climate change and, in the process, identify their specific needs so that these can be addressed,” he added.
The seriousness of climate change was put on spotlight during the inaugural session of the ASEAN Climate Week 2026 on Monday, where officials and stakeholders stressed the need to prepare for climate impacts that cannot be fully prevented, such as destruction of homes, loss of livelihood, and disruptions in essential services following extreme weather events.
A strengthened cooperation on loss and damage could help improve how member states respond to disasters—from faster mobilization of assistance to improved recovery programs for affected sectors.
Regional efforts are also focused on improving climate risk management, enhancing data-sharing systems, and developing clearer mechanisms for accessing international climate finance.
In a recorded speech, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted the importance of a whole-of-system approach in advancing climate action, including protecting vulnerable communities, expanding innovative climate solutions, and delivering tangible results.
“ASEAN stands at the frontlines of the global climate crisis… Confronting these challenges is our shared responsibility and ASEAN has shown that through cooperation, we can overcome common problems with our collective purpose and resolve,” Marcos said.
“If we act together with urgency and innovation, we can turn this climate challenge into an opportunity to build a safer and more sustainable future for our region—a future that our people truly deserve.”
The ASEAN Climate Week 2026 is being held virtually from April 27 to May 1, in line with the recalibration and scaling down of non-essential, in-person meetings to save costs amid the current energy emergency in the Philippines.
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